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They have never spoken, like really spoken. It was just in class getting a project done, a soft nod when they walked past each other, sometimes she would wave at him when she was surrounded by her friends and here and there she would ask him how its going, to which he always had answer with an simply „normal“ without asking her the same question.
They have started Hogwarts together. He had seen her on the platform and was than standing not far away from her when they were sorted into their houses. She got into Huffelpuff and he Slytherin. So they couldn't be any more different. She was a pureblood, popular, nice, her parents gave her piano and step dance lessons, always in a good mood and had a soft spot or animals which was the only reason Severus could enjoy being thought about magical creatures.
He wouldn't have expected to ever have a real conversation with her and have any other contact than needed but now here she was, standing next to the hospital bed he was lying in. She was holding a stack of parchment and a few books against her chest. Her brown hair up in a high ponytail, the sun making it look red-ish, her green eyes wandering over his covered body and her uniform tidy as always.
It had been two days since the incident, and he didn't expect to see anyone the week he has to spend with Poppy. Not that he had anticipated any company. Lily had stopped speaking to him months ago, and his housemates—well, they tolerated him at best. He had spent the last forty-eight hours drifting between fitful sleep and quiet resentment, preparing himself for another week of solitude until he was well enough to leave. Until after lunch he hear footsteps, first thinking is was Poppy who would face him to eat more but these footsteps where lighter. Maybe another student, visiting their friend but than his curtains were pulled away. There she was. Standing 1,75m tall, her brunette hair into a high ponytail, her uniform clean and stern as always, a golden necklaces hanging over her blouse and the rings on her finger simmered in the sun.
He stared at her. His dark eyes wandering over her honest smile, her pink lips and her red cheeks.
“What?”
She exhaled sharply, as if she had been holding her breath, and hesitantly placed the stack on the small bedside table next to him.
“Your homework. I figured no one else would bring it to you“ There was no malice in her tone, no teasing, just a simple statement of fact and he couldn’t be angry about it either, it was the truth. Severus glanced at the pile, then back at her.
“Why?”
Katie gave a small shrug, brushing a strand of brown hair from her face.
“You’re not exactly my friend, Snape, but I don’t see why you should fall behind just because those gits decided to be cruel.” Her green eyes flickered with something determination, perhaps. “You’d do the same for me, right?”
He didn’t answer immediately. Would he? Before this moment, he might have said no. It was easier to keep his head down, to expect nothing from others, to give nothing in return. But now, looking at her, something twisted in his chest. He didn’t know what to make of it.
“I suppose,” he muttered at last.
Katie smiled just a small, fleeting thing, but genuine.
“Good. Now, do you want me to go over what you missed? Slughorn gave a long lecture on potion stabilization, and Binns droned on about the Goblin Wars again, but McGonagall assigned a tricky bit of Transfiguration that you might want to start early.”
Severus hesitated, then gave a short nod.
“Fine.”
She pulled up a chair and sat beside his bed, rifling through the parchment, talking in an easy, matter-of-fact tone as she explained the assignments. For the first time in days, Severus wasn’t thinking about Potter or Black or the humiliation of being in this bed. Instead, he listened. And, for a fleeting moment, he felt something close to gratitude.
She had spent the whole afternoon with him, talking and laughing at something one of her classmates did during a lesson. He didn't notices it right away but when she was with him, he felt less alone, he felt like a human being and not some puppet one could play with. Her laugh made his heart beat faster and when their hands brushed as she help him with a book, his whole body froze for a second until it got hot as lava in the next.
It was only when Poppy came, she was made to leave as Severus needed to be examined and eat dinner as did she. Quickly she grabbed her stuff and gave Severus a last smile.
„Katie… wait“, he heard himself say. When her eyes meet his, for a second he forgot what he wanted to say. „Will you come again tomorrow?“ He finally asked. She tilted her head, one hand on the curtain she pulled to get out.
„Sure Severus“, she simply answered before vanishing out of the hospital wing.
And she did. She came every day after lunch and stayed until dinner, talking to him about school and the homework. Brought him paper and ink and if needed took his assignment to the professors. He had never felt so seen than in this week and when he was discharged at a Saturday morning he had the urge to go back.
They have never spend time like this again. Only when he had helped her with a Potion assignment where she nearly went mad because she couldn't get the potion right. It was a minor mistake and he even helped her improve it, giving her the highest grade she ever got in Potions.
She was his light in his black world. A single star in the black sky that was his life but it was to little to light him up. His heart still screamed for Lily, what he had done to her and how he can never correct that.
It was graduation day. He had heard that she was accepted into her dream university, everyone has because when the letter came during lunch she had screamed as if she has been stabbed. He guessed she would study something with animals and maybe take a course or two in Herbology.
The Great Hall was alive with celebration. The enchanted ceiling sparkled with a brilliant summer sky, golden banners draped across the walls, and the hum of excited chatter filled the air. Graduation day. Seven years of struggle, study, and survival had finally come to an end. Severus stood near the entrance, away from the clusters of laughing students embracing and making plans for the future. He had no such plans not yet, anyway. His future was an uncertain thing, teetering between possibility and inevitability, and he loathed not knowing which way it would tip.
“Severus.”
He turned at the sound of his name and found Katie standing before him. Her graduation robes were neatly pressed, her hair pinned back in a simple style that suited her. He raised an eyebrow.
“Katie.”
She smirked at his usual dry tone but didn’t comment on it. Instead, she held out a neatly wrapped package.
“Before you disappear into whatever dark and mysterious future you have planned, I have something for you.”
Severus frowned at the gift, then at her. “Why?”
Katie rolled her eyes. “Because it’s graduation, and because I think you’ll need it.”
Hesitantly, he took the package and peeled away the wrapping. Inside was a leather-bound notebook black, sleek, and completely blank. He ran his fingers over the cover, noting its fine quality, the sturdy lock on the side, and the faint scent of parchment and ink.
“It’s an experiment notebook,” Katie explained. “Completely empty. No one can read it unless you allow them to. I had the pages charmed to resist spills, burns, and… well, the occasional explosion.” She grinned. “I figured you’d want somewhere safe to write down your ideas without anyone being able to steal them.”
Severus stared at the notebook, something unreadable flickering in his dark eyes. Then, slowly, he looked at her.
“You think I’ll have ideas worth stealing?”
Katie’s expression softened. “I think you’ll be a great Potions Master one day. And every great Potions Master needs a place for their discoveries.”
For a long moment, he said nothing. Compliments were rare in his life, genuine ones even more so. He wasn’t sure how to respond, so he simply traced his fingers over the cover again, testing the lock’s mechanism. At last, he spoke, his voice quieter than usual.
“Thank you.”
Katie nodded, as if that single acknowledgment was enough.
“Don’t waste it,” she added playfully. “I expect to hear about some groundbreaking potion from you one day.”
Severus smirked faintly. “I suppose we’ll see.”
She grinned. “We will.”
And with that, she turned and walked away, blending back into the crowd of students saying their goodbyes. Severus watched her go, then looked down at the notebook in his hands. Somehow, without her knowing she just had made the uncertainty of the future felt a little less daunting.
##########
He was exhausted. He had felt exhausted since he was born but it was now only getting worse, heavier and less manageable. Severus thought he was above these feelings, this depression and anxiety he felt day in day out. Having been a spy he had learned to bury these feeling but it was now nearly 11 years ago when his world has been grumbled, where all his efforts and sacrifices were no good anymore. Sometimes he ask himself why he was still here, what made him stay.
When he as in his usual chair in the teachers lounge he didn't expect much. It was the usual meeting the day before the new school year and he had heard it way to many times to be bothered by it. His colleagues took their usual seats, laughed, talked and ate cookies while waiting for Minerva to come. Gently he turned the page of the book he was reading when the door finally opened. He didn't look up right away, as him finish this page was more important than seeing Minerva entering a room but when he did, his book automatically closed as his eyes fixated on the woman next to Minerva. His heart sank and his pulse went up.
She had changed and yet, she hadn’t. The childish roundness of her face had given way to elegant, refined features. Her green eyes still held the same quiet warmth, but there was something sharper in them now, something self-assured. The spark that had always set her apart remained, undimmed by time. And then there was her attire. Robes of deep emerald green, trimmed in gold embroidery, fitted to perfection. Not the frumpy, earth-stained robes he had expected from someone filling in for Professor Sprout. No, she was composed, graceful, undeniably striking.
„Sorry to have you wait but I had to get something from my office. Maybe some of you remember her Miss-“
„Katie“, Severus couldn’t believe he had said that, he also couldn’t believe that he was now standing and how everyone was looking at him. Katie gave him a gentle smile, her hands folded before her as she tilted her head ever so slightly. Minerva blinked a bit confused but quickly came back to the topic.
„Yes, Miss Woxton, Kathrine. She will fill in got Pormona this year“, she said pointing to the empty chair next to her. „Have a seat Dear and lets begin“
Severus watched as she sat down, putting one leg over the other and carefully listening to ever word. He didn't hear a thing Minerva said, he didn’t need to as it was standard stuff. His mind was full, full of her as if seeing her had opened something in him, that was nearly forgotten. Severus needed to get a grip but he just couldn’t, he has to made sure he wasn’t starring. He was a man of logic and brain but now his body seemed to control him. Slowing he took a sip from his tea, tasting the sweet liquid in his lips. A pair of eyes lingered in him. Minerva definitely wanted something from him.
“Severus could you give Miss Woxton a little tour? To fresh up her memories?”
He could have said something nice, he could have simply nodded but instead his mouth said.
“If I have too” warning himself a stern look from the older woman. She dismissed everyone. Katie stood up and put her bag in her shoulder, waiting outside for Severus. He took a deep breath before joining her.
“So they needed a replacement for Professor Sprout and you were the best they could find?" he asked, arching a skeptical brow. Her smile turned teasing.
"Apparently, yes. Or do you doubt my abilities?"
Severus huffed, crossing his arms.
"Hufflepuff loyalty has clearly served you well."
Katie chuckled.
"And Slytherin cynicism has kept you exactly the same." She tilted her head slightly, studying him. Together they walked around the castle Severus didn’t have to explain anything, she knew, she has spend years here and had seen corners only students knew off. They spend the walk in silent, he observing her elegant walk how she sometimes played with her nails and how often she let her hand run through her hair. It was shorter than it used to be.
"You recognized me immediately." She broke the silence as sudden as she had appeared today. He didn’t dignify that with an answer, merely leveling her with a cool stare. Of course, he had recognized her. How could he not? As if sensing his unspoken thought, she gave a small, knowing smile and tapped her fingers against the knob on her door.
"It’s good to see you again, Severus."
Something flickered in his chest—something he ignored. Instead, he inclined his head slightly.
"We'll see if you still think that after a few weeks of dealing with our insufferable students."
She laughed, rich and warm.
"Oh, I have no doubt I'll manage." She turned toward the door but paused. "By the way, did you ever put that notebook to good use?"
His fingers twitched at the memory of the leather-bound experiment book she had given him on graduation day. He had, in fact, filled every page and had long since moved on to others. He met her gaze, his voice quieter than before.
"Yes."
Her smile widened. "I thought so."
She stopped in front of her new room. Katie took a last look at Severus and with that, she was gone, leaving behind the faint scent of fresh herbs and something else, something unnameable that lingered in the air long after she left.
It took Katie two weeks of persuasion, countless teasing remarks, and even a handwritten invitation left on his desk, but finally, Severus Snape found himself at The Three Broomsticks, sitting stiffly among his colleagues. It was a rare outing for him, one he had grudgingly agreed to only because Katie had been particularly relentless in her efforts. But somehow the thought of seeing her in a different environment, speaking with her somewhere else than Hogwarts was intriguing. As usual she was a bright peck in the rather dark environment, wearing a light pink blouse and a brown dress. It made her eyes sparkle.
The pub was warm, lively, and filled with the chatter of students and faculty alike. A foamy tankard of Butterbeer sat in front of him, untouched, while Katie, sitting across from him, sipped at her Firewhisky with an amused expression.
"I have no idea why you’re acting like you were dragged here by force," she mused, tilting her head. "You agreed to come."
He shot her a pointed look. "I was ambushed. There is a difference."
Katie laughed, setting down her glass.
"Right, because an invitation and a bit of friendly persuasion are equivalent to an Unforgivable Curse."
Severus muttered something unintelligible and took a sip of his Butterbeer, if only to avoid responding. Katie merely grinned, leaning her elbows on the table. Her fingers still a bit green from tending to a plant during class.
"So, Severus," she said, her tone shifting slightly, "what have you been up to these last ten years? Aside from terrifying students and perfecting your scowl, of course."
He exhaled sharply, unamused.
"That information is hardly of interest."
"Try me."
A long silence stretched between them before he relented, giving her a brief summary of his years at Hogwarts, his research in Potions, and his general disdain for most of his colleagues, save for a select few.
When he was done, Katie swirled her drink thoughtfully.
"Sounds about right," she mused seemed to be okey with his answer, as if she had imagine his life and was now proven right by her assumption.
"And what about you? What exactly have you been doing since we last saw each other?"
A flicker of excitement lit up her features.
"Well, after Hogwarts, I went to university. Majored in Care for Magical Creatures but also took some courses in Herbology to have some kind of credential. For the past several years, I've been working in America, caring for endangered and extinct magical animals. It’s been incredible. I never thought I'd get to work so closely with creatures like Thunderbird hatchlings or Mooncalves."
He regarded her carefully. "And yet you ended up back here."
She smiled. "Just temporarily. I wanted to get out of America and using this teaching position gives me time to look for a different place to work“
Severus stared at her for a moment, taking in the way her eyes lit up as she spoke about her work. He hadn’t expected her to have gone so far, to have carved out such a path for herself. He found it… impressive. He knew she was well with animals, that she was smart and capable but hearing how far she came, was something different. Like she has proven herself to him, which she didn't have to.
"A respectable pursuit," he finally muttered, and Katie grinned, raising her glass.
"High praise from Severus Snape. I’ll take it."
And for the first time that evening, he allowed himself a small, almost imperceptible smile.
He watches as she talked with Minerva and Flitwick, how she laughed and listens, smiled and nodded. As always he was impressed how social she was, how she could just be in the middle of people and be talked to, speak with others for hours without breaking a sweat. He felt exhausted just listening to their stories. He was still at his first butterbeer when Katie stood up and got her second drink, now too a butter beer. His eyes watching her as she stood up, elegant but firm and how she walked up to the counter as if she had done it many times before. Maybe she had as a student. Severus never went with other student to Hoagsmead a or in general.
As the night went on Minerva decided it was enough and they should all go back. Katie and Severus fell a bit behind, her hand on his arm to steady herself on the broken street. The night was silent, peaceful even and while they didn't talk, they felt fulfilled but most importantly, they felt connected.
The teacher lounges unrecognizable, transformed into a warm haven against the bitter cold outside. Candles floated , casting a golden glow over the small gathering of Hogwarts staff. A few enchanted snowflakes drifted lazily from the ceiling, disappearing before they could reach the guests. Laughter and the clinking of glasses filled the air as the professors indulged in the rare festivity of a Christmas party.
Severus Snape sat at the edge of the room, arms crossed, a half-empty goblet of firewhisky in front of him. He had no interest in revelry, least of all in dancing, but he had been dragged here by sheer obligation. Minerva had insisted, and Katie had given him that damnable look of hers. The one that made it impossible to say no without feeling as if he had just kicked a Kneazle.
Speaking of Katie. He had noticed her the moment she entered the room, much to his annoyance. The emerald-green gown she wore was elegant, but not in a way that made her seem out of place. It hugged her frame gracefully, and the gold embroidery shimmered with every movement. Her eyes sparkled even more than usual, a combination of the festive lights and, no doubt, the generous amount of wine she had consumed. Minerva was no help, she was the one refilling the woman’s glass as well as her own. She might have danced with everyone here, Minerva first, both women being Scottish their were both good on their feet. Katie had told him, that after she graduated Hogwarts she was allowed to stop her step dance classed and had never done it since. Than came Albus, who to his surprise was being the woman, which made Minerva nearly spat out her wine through her nose from laughing. She had been laughing with Filius and Hagrid for most of the evening, but now, to his horror, she was making a beeline straight for him.
“Severus,” she announced, hands on her hips, slightly off-balance. “You’re brooding.”
“I am sitting,” he corrected dryly.
She rolled her eyes and grabbed his wrist. “Come dance with me.”
He recoiled, but her grip was surprisingly strong. “Absolutely not.”
“Oh, come on,” she wheedled, tugging insistently. “It’s Christmas, the music is lovely, and you look like you need some fun.”
“I do not dance.”
She leaned in, eyes narrowing. “You’re lying.” When she spoke Severus could smell the alcohol in her breath, making a shiver roll down his back.
His jaw tightened. “And what, pray tell, makes you think that?”
“Because a man who moves like you do-” she gestured vaguely at him, swaying slightly, “-does not dance badly. And because you’re a Slytherin. You lot were raised with etiquette lessons, weren’t you? I bet you’re an incredible dancer.”
“I am not drunk enough for this conversation.”
She grinned. “Then you should have drunk more.”
Before he could protest further, she yanked at his arm with surprising determination. He sighed, realizing the only way out of this was to give her what she wanted. It was better to get it over with than endure her incessant pestering.
“Fine,” he said lowly, standing to his full height. “But if you step on my foot, I swear-”
She beamed. “I won’t.”
The corner where she had dragged him was dimly lit, away from most of the others. The music was slow, a soft waltz playing in the background. He placed one hand lightly at her waist, the other capturing her fingers with practiced ease. Katie let out a small gasp.
“I knew it,” she said, eyes wide. “You’re amazing at this.”
Severus exhaled through his nose, guiding her effortlessly into the rhythm.
“You are intolerable.”
“You like me,” she teased, grinning up at him.
His fingers twitched slightly against her waist. “Debatable.”
She giggled, actually giggled and for a brief moment, he allowed himself to look at her properly. Her cheeks were flushed, her lips slightly parted from laughter. There was something so unfair about how easily she got under his skin. Her lipstick was gone, left on to many glasses. Her finger clanged on his shoulder, the other gently holding his. She smelled like herbs, something flowery and smoke from the chimney from sitting near it too long. Her back was a bit exposed in that dress, but her hair covered must of it. But here he was, looking down and seeing the little scars, thin but long. Then, just as he was about to step back and end this madness, she murmured something.
“You know, I’ve always liked you.”
His body stiffened, and he faltered just slightly in their movement. “You are drunk.”
“Mmm, a little,” she admitted, swaying closer. “But it’s true.”
His fingers tightened fractionally where they rested against her. He was not sure he had heard her correctly.
“Since when?”
A dreamy smile curled at her lips. She looked up to him, placing her chin on his chest, seeing him in the most unflattering angle there is in humankind and a look in her eyes as if she was looking at the most beautiful thing on earth. “Since the first time I saw you.”
Severus swallowed, unsure what to say. The warmth of her body was distracting, the scent of her twisting around him like a spell. He had expected flirtation, teasing, but not… this.
Her head tipped against his shoulder, and she hummed softly.
“You should dance more often.”
He exhaled slowly, forcing himself to ignore the strange, unfamiliar tug in his chest.
“You,” he said in a low, measured voice, “should drink less.”
She only chuckled, her breath warm against the collar of his robes. And for the first time in years, Severus found himself unwilling to let go.
The dungeons were quiet, save for the gentle crackling of the fire in Severus Snape’s sitting room. He had planned to spend his birthday as he always did alone, with a book and a glass of something strong. It was an unremarkable day, one he preferred to ignore. Which was why he was more than a little surprised when a knock echoed against his door.
Frowning, he set his book aside and stood, his long fingers wrapping around his wand as a precaution before he pulled the door open.
Katie stood there, grinning up at him, a bottle of wine in one hand and a small, neatly wrapped package in the other.
“Happy birthday, Severus,” she said, stepping past him without waiting for an invitation.
He blinked, momentarily thrown. “How did you—”
“I know everything,” she simply said, setting the wine and the gift on his table. “You didn’t really think I’d let you spend your birthday all alone, did you?”
“That was the plan, yes,” he muttered, closing the door behind her.
She laughed, completely undeterred. “Well, I have a better plan. Sit. Drink.”
With a resigned sigh, he settled onto the couch as she uncorked the wine and poured them both a generous amount. She handed him a glass, then nudged the small package toward him.
“Go on, open it.”
With a wary glance, he pulled at the paper, revealing a beautifull quill. A raven feather and a silver tip, it laid nicely in his hand and defiantly had some kind of spell on it.
“You always complain that you have to switch quills when correcting,” she said softly. “And with his quill you can just switch between colors without mixing them or spilling.”
Something tightened in his chest. It was thoughtful, too thoughtful. He had expected nothing, and yet here she was, remembering things about him he barely recalled mentioning.
“…Thank you,” he said, his voice quieter than usual.
She smiled, lifting her glass. “To another year.”
He clinked his glass against hers and took a slow sip, watching as she curled up more comfortably against the armrest of his couch, her legs tucked beneath her. And, just like that, she started talking.
Katie had a way of filling the silence effortlessly, weaving through stories about her work with magical creatures, her travels, her students, her ridiculous encounters with Hagrid’s latest pets. She was bright, vivid, and full of life in a way that made Severus feel strangely… settled.
He let her speak, occasionally offering a dry remark that made her laugh, but mostly just listening. Her life seemed perfect—so different from his own. She had seen the world, had made something of herself outside of Hogwarts. And yet, here she was, sitting beside him, sharing wine on a quiet evening like it was the most natural thing in the world.
They didn’t realize how close they had gotten until the conversation slowed and silence settled between them.
„What was your favorite thing about school? And don't say something related to Potions“, she teased but also being honestly interest in his life. Severus could see every detail of her face now, the way the firelight reflected in her eyes, the faint flush of wine on her cheeks, the way her breath hitched ever so slightly as she noticed their proximity.
Their noses were barely touching. He could have pulled away. He should have. Instead, before he could stop himself, he murmured,
“The only good memory I have of school… was you visiting me in the hospital wing.”
Something flickered in her expression, something he couldn’t quite name. She didn’t reply. She simply leaned in and kissed him. It was careful, unhurried, as though she was giving him the chance to pull away. But he didn’t.
Instead, his fingers curled against the fabric of her sleeve, holding her there just a moment longer, just enough to let himself believe, if only for tonight, that something good could still be his.
The weeks following that quiet, stolen kiss passed without a word about it. Neither of them mentioned it, neither of them acknowledged the way they had almost, almost, crossed a line that night.
Instead, life at Hogwarts continued as it always did. They remained colleagues, exchanging dry remarks in staff meetings, sitting beside each other at dinner, sharing occasional cups of tea between classes.
And yet… something had changed.
The other professors noticed it first. The way Severus always seemed to leave a seat open for her at meals. The way Katie always lingered just a little longer in the dungeons after stopping by for a question about potions ingredients. How his sharp features softened, if only slightly when she spoke to him. How the others would see him out of his dungeon more times, than the last years combined.
It was subtle, unspoken, but impossible to miss.
So when Katie received an unexpected knock on the greenhouse door one Saturday evening, she was more than a little surprised to find Severus standing there, hands behind his back, looking as though he had spent far too long debating whether or not to be there at all.
She raised an eyebrow.
“Severus?”
He hesitated, then exhaled sharply, as if bracing himself for something terribly difficult.
“Are you free tomorrow afternoon?”
Katie tilted her head, a smirk tugging at her lips while she leans at the door, one hand in her dirty apron.
“That depends. Are you about to assign me detention?”
His eyes narrowed slightly, though there was no true annoyance behind it.
“Hardly.” A beat of silence, then, with a barely perceptible shift, he added, “I thought a… picnic might be agreeable.”
Katie blinked. A picnic? Of all the things she expected from Severus Snape, that had not been on the list. For a moment, she wasn’t sure whether he was joking, but the way his fingers twitched slightly behind his back told her otherwise. Severus shifted, crossing his arms in that way he did when he was trying to act as if he didn’t care about the response.
"Yes. A picnic. Surely you are familiar with the concept?“
Her lips twitched. "I am familiar with it, yes. I’m just… surprised.“
"If you are otherwise occupied-„
„No! I’d love to.”
He only gave a small, satisfied nod. “Very well. Meet me by the lake at three.”
And with that, he turned sharply on his heel and strode away, his cloak billowing behind him. Katie watched him go, biting back a laugh.
A picnic with Severus Snape. She had a feeling this was going to be the most interesting Sunday she’d had in a long time.
That Sunday turned out to be one of the most beautiful spring days Hogwarts had seen in years. The sun was warm, the breeze light, and the scent of fresh grass filled the air. Severus had chosen a quiet spot near the lake, away from the students and the rest of the castle, where the water shimmered in the afternoon light. He had, to her great amusement, transfigured a large blanket and set out a selection of delicate pastries and a teapot.
Katie sat cross-legged, sipping her tea with a soft hum of delight. "You know," she mused, "I was expecting… I don’t know. Something less charming."
Severus shot her a dry look. "You assumed I would drag you to some damp corner of the dungeons?"
"Something like that," she admitted, grinning.
He rolled his eyes but said nothing, instead pouring himself another cup of tea.
They sat in comfortable silence for a while, watching the water ripple. Katie let herself relax, leaning slightly against Severus’s side. To her surprise, he didn’t move away. If anything, she thought she felt the faintest shift toward her.
It was a slow, easy sort of warmth between them, something she had never quite expected but found herself wanting more of.
She turned her head slightly, looking up at him.
"You’re full of surprises, Severus Snape.“
As the afternoon sun cast golden ripples over the water, Severus let his gaze drift from the lake to Katie, who was still leaning lightly against him. He could feel the steady rhythm of her breath, the way she absentmindedly traced patterns on the edge of her teacup.
For a long moment, he hesitated. He wasn’t sure why the memory of that evening at the Christmas party had resurfaced now, the way she had spun in his arms, laughing, her dress slipping just slightly to reveal the faint, pale scars across her back. He had noticed it then, but with her warmth against him and the drunken glow in her eyes, he hadn’t asked.
But now, in the quiet hush of the afternoon, he found himself speaking before he could stop himself.
"I meant to ask…" he began, his voice softer than usual, "that scars on your back. I… I saw them when we danced at the Christmas party… How did you get them?"
He felt her stiffen slightly, the way her fingers curled just a little tighter around the fabric of her skirt. For a moment, he thought she wouldn’t answer. Then, in a voice much lighter than he expected, she said,
"Ah. That." She exhaled slowly, then gave a small, humorless chuckle. "It’s not a very exciting story."
Severus didn’t say anything, just waited. Katie sighed, tilting her head back to look at the sky.
"My mother was very particular about things," she said finally. "Especially when it came to my dancing. And my piano playing.“ Severus’s stomach twisted. He had a terrible feeling he knew where this was going. "If I made a mistake like when I missed a step or played a wrong note she had this old wooden pointing stick she used when instructing me. And she would… correct me.“ His grip on his teacup tightened. "She always said she just wanted me to be perfect," Katie continued, her voice light, as if it was something distant, something that no longer touched her. "Said I had the talent, just needed the discipline."
Severus set his cup down, his appetite for pastries or tea suddenly gone. For years, he had believed Katie had led the perfect life charmed, untouched by the kind of darkness that had haunted his own childhood. She had always been bright, kind, filled with warmth, and he had assumed that came from a place of safety.
But now he realized that the brightest lights were often the ones that had to fight the hardest to keep shining.
"I shouldn’t have asked," he murmured.
Katie looked at him then, a small, almost sad smile on her lips.
"I don’t mind that you did," she said. "You’re the first person who ever has."
Something in his chest ached at that. Without thinking, he reached for her hand, curling his fingers gently around hers. She let out a small breath but didn’t pull away. They sat like that for a long time, neither speaking, just watching the lake ripple before them.
His gaze met hers, something unreadable flickering in his dark eyes.
And then, as if it was the most natural thing in the world, he kissed her. It wasn’t hesitant, like the first time. This was deeper, more certain, his hand coming up to cup the side of her face as he pulled her closer. Katie melted into him, her fingers curling around his robes, the scent of tea and the warm spring air wrapping around them.
By the time they parted, her heart was racing, and Severus’s breathing had deepened. She let out a soft laugh, brushing her nose against his.
"I think I like this picnic idea."
His lips quirked slightly.
"Good."
And with that, he poured them both another cup of tea, as if nothing had happened except everything had.
And that scared him shitless. He realized to late which path he had chosen for them. It wouldn't mattered, if there were some aspects of him that should be disclosed before commit further. Any other emotional intelligent person would try to seek a conversation, speaking about their worries and what was on their mind. He did the only thing Severus was got at, he became distant. Not cold, not cruel just less there.
He no longer lingered in the staff room after meals. No more late-night conversations over tea, no more sarcastic remarks tossed her way in the hall. It wasn’t immediate, but slowly, steadily, he was pulling away.
Katie noticed, of course. She always noticed. At first, she gave him space, thinking it was just one of his moods. But after a week of avoidance, of him deliberately staying away, she’d had enough.
So, one evening, she marched straight down to the dungeons and knocked on his door. No answer. She knocked again, louder. Still nothing.
“Oh, for Merlin’s sake!” With a huff, she pushed the door open and stepped inside. Severus was there, standing stiffly by his desk, as if he had been waiting for this.
“Ah,” he said flatly. “I see we no longer believe in manners.”
Katie crossed her arms. “I knocked.”
“I was under the impression ignoring someone was a clear enough response.”
She narrowed her eyes. “And yet here we are.”
He sighed, pinching the bridge of his nose. “Katie-”
“No.” She stepped closer, pushing the door close. “I don’t know what’s going on with you, but I’m not an idiot, Severus. You’re avoiding me.”
“I am busy-”
“Oh, shove it,” she snapped, and to her satisfaction, his brows shot up. “You’re not busy. You’re hiding.”
A muscle in his jaw ticked. “I am not-”
“Then look at me and tell me why you’ve been acting like I don’t exist.”
His lips parted slightly, but no words came. Katie took another step closer, softer this time.
“Is this about what happened between us?”
Something flickered in his expression, and she latched onto it.
“It is, isn’t it?” she said, tilting her head. Her demeanor becoming more gently and she came a bit closer. “Severus, it’s okay. If you’re uncomfortable or nervous, we don’t have to rush anything. I never expected you to-” She hesitated, then asked, “Are you still a virgin?”
His entire body went rigid. How dare she? How was that he first thing that came into her mind? Was it that obvious? Katie immediately knew she handled the situation badly, but before she could word it better, his expression darkened.
“That,” he said, voice dangerously low, “is none of your concern.”
She took a slow breath. “I didn't mean it like-”
“Clearly, you meant something,” he sneered. “Or do you simply enjoy humiliating people?”
Her chest tightened. “Severus, I wasn’t trying to-”
“I know what you were trying to do,” he snapped. “And you may spare me your pity.”
Katie’s eyes widened. “I don’t pity you-”
“Oh, of course not,” he said mockingly. “I’m sure the idea of bedding your little charity case is simply adorable-”
“Merlin, would you just shut up!” she shouted, startling him. Silence. She wasn’t angry, she was annoyed and seemed troubled to find the right words. She knew she had to be careful with him, he was easily offend and annoyed, hiding in his sheller faster than he was leaving. He licked his lips a bit, actually waiting for her to continue speaking. „Severus“, she began coming closer, looking at him. „I am just wanted to talk about why you have been distant. I know that intimacy, regardless to what degree, isn't easy for you and therefore I thought that was the main issue and I wanted to talk to you about it… like responsible adults“
Somehow that hit harder. He knew he had a tendency to act like a stubborn child but getting told, especially by someone very close, was a different kind of wound. Severus took a deep breath.
„It is not about… that“, he finally said. „I just don't think you will like me much if you knew everything“
Immediately there was a shift in the air. Katie tilted her head and Severus unintentionally brushed over his forearm, making her eyes grew big as she connected the dots.
“You don't know” She mumbled, looking into his dark eyes. His breath caught and he straightened his back. Katie’s lips pressed into a thin line.
“I know, Severus.”
A cold, terrible silence settled between them. For the first time since she had known him, he looked genuinely caught off guard.
“…What?”
She crossed her arms again.
“I know you’re a Death Eater. I know you’re a spy. I’ve known for years.”
Severus’ heart pounded violently in his chest. A bitter taste coated his tongue.
“Who-”
“Albus told me,” she admitted. “I’ve been supplying him with rare magical ingredients for years. He trusted me with many things… including you.”
His mouth went dry. He felt exposed, unbalanced, as if someone had ripped the floor out from under him.
“…You knew,” he repeated, voice quieter this time.
Katie nodded. “Yes.”
He turned away, his mind racing.
“Then you are more foolish than I thought. If you knew, you should have stayed away.”
Katie huffed a quiet laugh, walking around him to face him while arguing.
“You really don’t know me, do you?”
He turned sharply.
“This is not a joke, Katie. You don’t understand what I have done-”
“Oh, I understand just fine,” she interrupted, stepping closer once more. “I know exactly who you are. And it doesn’t scare me.”
His breath hitched. He hated this. Hated how easily she dismantled his defenses. How her presence made everything feel lighter when it had no right to be. She softened, reaching out to take his wrist, her thumb brushing over the sleeve that hid his mark.
“I’ve always known, Severus.” Her voice was quiet now, steady. “And I still care for you.”
He should leave. He should say something cruel, something cutting, something that would finally make her go. But when he met her gaze, something in his chest cracked. And instead of pulling away, he let her stay, his mind and heart coated in unconditional love, making him easy and weak in the most beautiful way.
The rest of the year went by with ease. They liked, they loved each other. They got to know each other on a level neither of them has allowed someone else to know. They spent nights wide awake. His finger gently stroking her many scars on her back and getting told some of her deepest secret about her seemingly perfect family. Meanwhile her finger caressing his body, his heart like no one has ever done before. The kids and the other professors loved her, which made it easier to extend her stay for another six month to give Professor Sprout the ability to fully recover. For the first time Severus felt like a human, like a man with feelings that are valid and worth someone else’s time. Which of course meant that rather sooner than later it all had to find an abrupt and cruel some end.
The decision weighed on him like a crushing weight. Severus knew what was coming. He had seen the signs, heard the whispers. Voldemort was stirring, moving, returning. And with that return came danger. Especially for Katie. He had spent years balancing the line between the darkness of his past and the fragile light she had pulled him into. She had been his quiet place, his warmth, the only person who had ever looked at him entirely and not recoiled. But that light was now a target. And if he did not cut her loose, if he did not make her leave, then she would suffer for it.
He found her in her quarters that evening, finishing the last of her packing. She had already planned to leave soon, returning to America for a few months for work. They made the plan that she would come back for the summer holidays and than they could plan their future in piece. Her leaving tonight was the perfect excuse, the perfect moment to end this before it became a weakness that Voldemort could exploit.
Katie looked up when he entered, smiling softly.
“You’re just in time. I was about to send for you.”
Severus stood stiffly, his hands clenched at his sides.
“You shouldn’t come back.”
Katie blinked. “What?”
He forced his face into a mask of cold indifference.
“You shouldn’t return to me.”
She frowned, stepping closer. “Severus, what are you talking about?”
“I don’t want you here.”
A sharp silence settled between them. She studied him for a long moment, confusion flickering into something more guarded.
“Why are you saying this?”
He needed to make her leave. Needed to sever this completely. So he reached for the sharpest, cruelest weapon he had.
“Because I grew bored of you, Katie.”
The words sliced through the air, jagged and cold. She inhaled sharply, but he did not stop.
“I used you,” he continued, forcing himself to look into her wide, stricken eyes. “For my own amusement, nothing more.”
Her lips parted slightly, as if she couldn’t quite believe what she had heard. After all they had shared, their vulnerability, their hurt and worries. She let out a laugh, a bitter, humorless laugh escaped her.
“Say that again,” she challenged, stepping closer. “Look me in the eye and say that again.”
He forced himself to hold her gaze, even as his insides twisted violently. He was now reaching deep. They haven't said it yet, they both had felt it but weren't ready to say it as they thought they had enough time for it.
“I never loved you.”
Katie’s hands curled into fists at her sides. “You’re lying.”
He exhaled through his nose. “Believe what you like.”
She stared at him, her chest rising and falling sharply. Then, finally, she stepped back, her expression closing off in a way he had never seen before.
“…I thought the next few months will be the worst in my life,” she murmured. “But this… this makes it easy.”
She turned away, grabbing the last of her things with careful, mechanical movements. Severus stood there, silent, watching as she finished packing her trunk, as she gathered her coat, as she moved toward the door. She paused for only a moment, glancing back at him one last time.
“I do love you, you know,” she said softly. “Since the day I first saw you.”
And then she was gone. The door clicked shut behind her, and with it, the last warmth in his world vanished. Severus exhaled shakily, his fingers trembling at his sides. His body felt numb, hurt, cut open to be displayed in a museum. His mind was a minefield. Severus couldn’t remember how he got back into his chamber or how long it took to empty that bottle of firewhikey that she had given him, he simply was just here. His body was here but not his mind. He had done what needed to be done. So why did it feel like he had just destroyed the only good thing he had ever known?
##########
The grand hall of Malfoy Manor was alight with the flickering glow of torches, casting long shadows against the cold stone walls. The air was thick with tension, the assembled Death Eaters sitting at the grand table as they had done so many times already. Severus sat among them, his expression schooled into perfect indifference, though his mind was a quiet storm. It has been weeks since he had killed Albus, his mentor, the last thing close to someone he could trust with his life. He never wanted any of this but here he was. The great spy, a silent achievement. Being surrounded by crazy people makes him sick, he couldn’t bare it. The talk about the killed and tortured, the children and wives, the poor muggleborn who only crime it was to be born. Whenever he lied in bed late at night he heart her voice. Telling him she know that he isn't one of them, that she knows he had a good heart and was just unfortunate. Sometimes, when he listens to these conversations she believed her.
Voldemort was speaking, his voice a soft, slithering thing that sent shivers down the spine of any who heard it. Only earning him more praise and applause.
“…and now, we have claimed something truly valuable,” he announced, his crimson eyes gleaming. “An animal reserve, hidden away in the mountains, filled with creatures that will serve our cause. Powerful, rare, and all but forgotten by the Ministry.” Murmurs of satisfaction rippled through the room. “But, of course,” Voldemort continued, tilting his head, “such creatures require a skilled hand to tame them.”
At his signal, the heavy doors at the end of the hall were thrown open. Two Snatchers entered, dragging a figure between them. Severus inhaled sharply, nearly making a sound the man next to him could hear.
Katie.
Her face was bloodied, dirt smeared across her cheeks. One of her sleeves was torn, revealing a gash along her upper arm. Her hands were bound with thick, enchanted rope that glowed faintly, ensuring she couldn’t use any magic. She had fought, her clothes looked dirty but not from work, from running for her life, hiding in a small corner, hoping this time they would run past her. How long had she already been kept here?
Still, despite her wounds and despite the circumstances, her chin was lifted defiantly. Her eyes burned with fury as she was unceremoniously thrown forward, landing on her hands and knees before Voldemort.
The Dark Lord observed her with amusement.
“Katherine Woxton,” he drawled. “A celebrated caretaker, a protector of beasts. And now… ours.”
Katie glared up at him. “I won’t be a puppet in your sick cause!”
Several Death Eaters chuckled at her boldness, but Voldemort merely smiled, a sharp, snake-like thing that sent a chill down Severus’ spine.
“Oh?” he murmured. “Then let us see if your heart is as stubborn as your tongue.”
He flicked his hand. The doors swung open again, and two lesser Death Eaters entered, leading a small, trembling creature into the hall.
A Mooncalf. The pale, wide-eyed creature looked around in terror, its long limbs shaking as it tried to shrink back.
Katie stiffened, anger building in her eyes. “Don’t you dare-”
Voldemort raised his wand. “Crucio.”
The Mooncalf collapsed with a horrible, warbling cry. Its delicate body convulsed violently as the curse took hold, its large, panicked eyes rolling back. A strangled sound escaped Katie’s throat. She fumbled desperately against the ropes, dragging herself forward on her knees. “Stop it—stop it!”
Voldemort watched her, his expression curious.
“Will you serve me, then?”
Katie clenched her jaw, her gaze darting from the suffering creature to Voldemort’s expectant face. Her fingers curled into the cold stone beneath her. Her entire body was shaking. Severus forced himself to remain still, to suppress the white-hot rage rising in his chest.
“I…” Katie swallowed hard, her breathing ragged. Her lips trembled, but she looked at the Mooncalf again, its pitiful cries echoing through the hall. She had no choice. “…I’ll do it,” she whispered.
Voldemort tilted his head. “Louder.”
Katie squeezed her eyes shut. When she opened them again, she finally lifted her gaze—searching, reaching. Her eyes found Severus. He did not move. He could not. But still, for a moment they both felt something, something light in this dark and heavy times.
“…I will do it.” Her voice was stronger this time, but there was something broken in it. Voldemort smiled. With a flick of his wrist, the curse lifted. The Mooncalf slumped to the ground, panting in exhaustion.
“Good choice,” he murmured.
Katie slowly exhaled, shaking as she reached out with bound hands, her fingers brushing the creature’s trembling body. She stroked its fur, whispering something under her breath. She held it close, rocking that thing while she sat there, as a display for everyone. Some laughed, some didn't care and other talked about how they can't wait to guard the animal reserve.
Severus wanted to move. Wanted to speak. Wanted to do something. But he remained silent. Because he knew that if he showed even a flicker of emotion now, it would be her death sentence.
The air at the reserve was thick with the scent of damp earth and animal musk. Despite its captivity, the land was still alive. Trees stretching toward the grey sky, enclosures filled with magical creatures that had been stolen from their homes, now pacing restlessly under the watchful eyes of Voldemort’s men.
Severus strode past a group of stationed Death Eaters, his long robes billowing behind him as he made his way toward the main stable. The moment he stepped inside, his dark eyes found her.
Katie was kneeling beside a wounded Augurey, her fingers carefully stroking its damp feathers as she murmured something soft. But she looked exhausted. Her usually vibrant presence was dulled by fatigue, her posture weighed down by more than just physical strain.
And her arm, still bound in a haphazard bandage was swollen and red. Infected.
“You’re going to lose that arm if you don’t treat it properly,” Severus said dryly.
Katie didn’t look at him.
“I don’t need your concern.”
One of the guards standing near the entrance let out a low chuckle. “He’s been awfully concerned about you, you know. Always making sure you’re still in one piece.” He smirked, elbowing another guard. “If you want to fuck her, Snape, just do it already. No need to sweeten her up so much.”
Severus’ gaze snapped toward the man with a cold, deadly sharpness. “Shut your mouth before I shut it for you.”
The guard held up his hands mockingly. “Relax. No need to get all-”
“I said shut it.”
There must have been something in his tone, something far more dangerous than the usual barbs of their ranks, because the man scoffed but didn’t push further. Katie finally turned, her expression unreadable. “You made them let me use my wand.”
Severus gave a curt nod. It took many talks with the Lord, a lot of maybes and so on until Severus mentioned that some animals weren't able to be cared for by muggle-like person and that if he truly wanted to use these animals, he needed them at their best health and this was only possible if Katie has her wand. Finally the Lord agreed and send her wand to the reserve.
“At least now you can do your job without fumbling like a fool.”
She huffed, glancing down at her arm.
“I can heal it,” he offered, voice quieter now.
She hesitated. “And why would you?”
Because he couldn’t bear to see her in pain. Because it made something in his chest coil in ways he couldn’t afford to feel.
He schooled his face into its usual indifference.
“Because if you drop dead from infection, who else is going to keep those creatures alive?”
Katie studied him for a long moment before finally sighing.
“Fine.”
Severus knelt beside her, pulling his wand as she carefully unwrapped the bloodied bandage. His lips pressed into a thin line at the sight of the inflamed wound.
“Hold still,” he murmured, voice softer than he meant.
Katie exhaled as his wand traced along her skin, warmth blooming where the magic worked to cleanse and knit the wound back together. She was still close, too close. He could see the way her eyelashes fluttered against her cheek, the way her breathing slowed.
“Severus…” Her voice was quiet, hesitant.
He didn’t answer. Because if he did, if he let himself slip, even for a second he wasn’t sure he could pull himself back.
The reserve had become a grim sanctuary, a prison wrapped in the illusion of open space. Creatures that should have been free roamed behind barriers, their eyes filled with quiet desperation. Katie, too, was caged.
Severus had been visiting more frequently. Always with something small a book, a fresh change of robes, soap that smelled of lavender instead of the harsh, unscented kind the Death Eaters provided. Things that made her feel human. She never thanked him. Not with words, at least. But the way her fingers lingered on the items, the way her shoulders relaxed, told him enough.
This afternoon, the sky was streaked with fading gold when he arrived. Katie sat against the wooden fence of the Thestral enclosure, watching the skeletal creatures graze. Her face was unreadable, but Severus had come to recognize the set of her jaw, the sharp focus in her eyes—she was planning something.
“I’m leaving,” she said without looking at him.
Severus stiffened. “What?”
She turned to face him. “I’m going to free them. The creatures. I can’t keep them here like this. I won’t.”
His stomach twisted.
“That is insanity. They will kill you, Katie. Or worse keep you as a plaything.”
She exhaled sharply, standing.
“And what? You expect me to stay here? Be their little pet until they decide I’m no longer useful?” Her voice wavered, but her resolve did not. “I have nothing to lose.”
Severus’ hands clenched at his sides.
“You fool.”
“No.” She took a step closer, tilting her chin up defiantly. “What’s foolish is whatever game you think you’re playing here. What is it, Severus? Do you think you’re different from the rest of them? You think you can get out of this unscathed?” His breath caught. “You’re pretending to be one of them, but you’re not,” she continued. “And you know I see it. I have since the moment Albus told me what you are”
Severus felt something unravel inside him. His carefully built walls walls that had kept him alive cracked at the edges.
“You can’t do this,” he hissed, voice shaking with barely contained emotion. “I won’t let you.”
Katie scoffed. “And what are you going to do? Turn me in?”
“No.” His breath came hard and uneven, his body taut as a bowstring. “I can’t let you because—” He stopped. The words were acid in his throat. But Katie just waited. His hands trembled as he seized her shoulders. “Because I love you, you reckless, infuriating woman.” His voice broke. “Because if you die, if you disappear, I will lose my mind.”
She stared at him, lips parted in shock, her breath mingling with his in the cool evening air. And for the first time in years, Severus Snape had no idea what to do next. The only thing he knew was that she stayed, not because of the animals she held close to her heart but the animal she was in love with.
The night air was thick with tension, a storm of impending war pressing down on everything. The reserve was quiet, unnaturally so, as if the creatures knew what loomed just beyond their cages. Katie stood by the Mooncalf enclosure, hands gripping the wooden railing as she stared into the darkness. She had been waiting for him.
When Severus finally arrived, his robes billowing like shadows, her heart clenched. He looked different tonight. Not just exhausted final.
“You’re leaving,” she whispered, already knowing the answer.
Severus nodded. “It’s time.”
Katie swallowed hard. “Then I’m coming, too.”
“No.” His voice was sharp, a blade against the night. “You will stay here.”
“You know I won’t.”
He exhaled through his nose, jaw tightening. He had known. She was stubborn, foolishly brave, and she had never been one to sit idly by. He had hoped, for once, that she would choose self-preservation over heroism. But then, she wouldn’t be Katie if she did. His hands twitched at his sides. He wanted to hold her, shake her, beg her to stay, but he had no right to do any of those things. Katie took a step forward, her voice trembling.
“Severus, I-” She stopped, blinking away tears. She dug into the pocket of her coat, pulling out small vials and pressing them into his hands. “If you get hurt…if you’re in danger…take them. They’ll ease the pain.”
He looked down at the vials, then back at her, expression unreadable. Something inside him cracked. Severus reached for her suddenly, pulling her against him with a desperation that neither of them could hide anymore. Katie let out a broken breath, arms wrapping around his back as she buried her face against his shoulder.
“Come back,” she whispered. “Come back to me.”
His fingers curled into the fabric of her coat, as if holding her tightly enough could change the inevitable.
“I-” The words caught in his throat. He couldn’t promise her anything. Instead, he kissed her. It was slow, deep, and aching, a kiss that spoke of all the things they had never had the chance to say. Of stolen moments, of love trapped between war and duty, of everything they had almost had but never could. When they finally broke apart, he let his forehead rest against hers, eyes closed as he memorized the warmth of her. Then, without another word, Severus stepped back and disappeared into the night. And Katie was left standing there, alone.
The night was thick with smoke and screams when Katie finally made her move. The Death Eaters guarding the reserve were preoccupied, their attention split between the chaos unfolding at Hogwarts and their own cruel amusements. She waited for the perfect moment and then struck.
With a flick of her wand, the first fell, stunned before he could even draw breath. The second turned, but she was quicker, sending him flying backward into a crate of supplies. The others barely had time to react before she disarmed them with a precise hex, leaving them slumped against the walls, unconscious.
She ran. The reserve was already alive with movement. The animals, sensing freedom, rushed past her in a blur of fur, scales, and wings. Some vanished into the darkness, returning to the wild where they belonged. But others, loyal, strong, and furious stayed. A Chimera roared as it leapt over the enclosure fence, a flock of Augureys took to the sky, and a Runespoor coiled around a broken gate, hissing its fury. They would fight. They wanted to fight.
Katie barely had time to grab her packed bag before a familiar figure landed in front of „her“ Thestral, Eira. She was the first one who had created Katie, who trusted her and helped the others to trust her as well. It was her special friend in this cage. The skeletal creature stomped a hoof impatiently, sensing her urgency. Without hesitation, she swung onto its back, gripping the smooth leather of its harness.
“Go,” she whispered.
With a mighty push of its wings, the Thestral lifted off the ground, followed closely by the creatures that had chosen to follow. The wind howled around her as they soared toward Hogwarts, the war burning below like a battlefield of fire and blood.
When she arrived, the chaos was overwhelming. Spells flashing, walls crumbling, and creatures from her reserve wreaking havoc on the Death Eaters. But Katie had only one goal. Severus.
She tore through the battlefield, weaving between duels and falling debris, ignoring the pain of stray spells that grazed her arms. She didn’t stop until she reached the boathouse.
And there he was. Crumbled on the wooden planks, blood pooling around him, his skin ghastly pale.
“Severus!” She stumbled forward, hands trembling as she reached for him. His eyes fluttered weakly, but he wasn’t gone. Not yet. She frantically checked his pockets and nearly sobbed when she found the empty vials. He took them. He listened. Relief was short-lived. He was still losing too much blood, his body barely holding on.
Katie turned to Eira, her heart pounding.
“Help me.”
The Thestral lowered itself, and with what little strength she had, Katie pulled Severus onto its back, securing him in front of her. She pressed her lips against his ear, voice shaking.
“You’re not dying on me, Severus Snape.”
And with that, she urged Eira into the sky, leaving the war behind as she flew toward St. Mungo’s, where hope still lingered.
The world was a blur of white and pain when Severus woke. His body felt like it had been torn apart and stitched back together because it had. His throat ached, his limbs heavy, and for a moment, he wasn’t entirely sure if he was dead or alive.
Then he felt it. A warmth pressed against him, soft and familiar. A hand wrapped firmly around his own, fingers curled protectively.
His vision slowly cleared, the ceiling of St. Mungo’s coming into focus. The faint smell of healing potions and fresh linens filled the air. And then, as he shifted slightly, a weight draped across his torso stirred.
Katie. She was practically lying on him, her arm wrapped around his waist, her face buried against his chest, her breath steady and warm.
His mind reeled. She had been here the whole time.
With great effort, he flexed his fingers against hers, a small movement, but enough. She stirred, her lashes fluttering, before she let out a sleepy groan.
“You snore,” she mumbled, her voice thick with exhaustion. Then, as if realizing he was awake, she lifted her head, blinking down at him with bleary eyes before a slow smirk spread across her lips. “About time, Sleeping Beauty.”
He wanted to roll his eyes, but even that felt like too much effort. Instead, he simply breathed through the pain, glancing at her with a frown.
“The vials…” His voice was hoarse, barely a whisper. Her smirk grew.
“Oh, those? The ones you thought would give you a peaceful, painless death?” She tilted her head in mock innocence. “Yeah, I may have made you only believe that.”
Severus closed his eyes, inhaling sharply. “You-”
“Tricked you? Absolutely,” she said smugly, propping herself up on her elbow, still half-draped over him. “I knew you’d do something stupid for the ‘greater good,’ so I made sure you didn’t. And look, it worked.”
He would have laughed if it didn’t hurt so damn much. Instead, he simply exhaled, shaking his head as best he could against the pillow.
She watched him for a moment before her smirk softened into something gentler, something far more dangerous to his battered heart. Without another word, she leaned in and pressed a kiss to his lips soft, careful, but real.
He kissed her back. It was slow, unhurried, like a promise neither of them had to say aloud. When she finally pulled back, he could see the determination in her eyes, the same fire she had always carried.
“I’m staying,” she murmured, her forehead resting against his. “Forever.”
His fingers curled around hers, holding tight.
“Forever,” he echoed.