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unconventional-lawnchair · 1 month

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" But daddy, I love him "

Mattheo Riddle x Fem!Potter!Reader

Masterlist

Part 2

Summary: Harry finds out his sister is dating Mattheo Riddle Ft. James, Lily, Remus, Sirius - No war au }

Wc- 5178

Cw: Use of {Y/N}, a lot of people saying a lot of mean things, sexual themes cussing}

A/n: Possible part 2 later

Mattheo Riddle had a reputation for himself. Everyone knew him bloodied before they'd seen him presentable. A Hotwire, fizzling and popping, just waiting for the next person to cross him in a way he deemed punishable, ‘the muggle way.’

He never truly had a distaste for muggles or muggleborns, but they stayed clear of him regardless. Voldemort's son was like a cautionary tale told through the halls, of just how ruthless and unhinged death eaters could be. His mother, Beatrix Lestrange, in Azkaban for life for such cruelties, his father had a name no one dared to say. That left very little to the imagination, or maybe just too much?

Another thing about Mattheo Riddle, he never said what he was thinking, he only acted. So no one knew the true boy outside of his blinding rage, insatiable flirting and the horrid legacy his parents so carefully wove for him. No one, aside from you.

It wasn't supposed to be this way, truly, it was just an assignment.

“I have a student, he is failing in my class, but I know he has so much potential to do better.” McGonagall began. “If you tutor him, I will give you credits towards one of your less favorable classes.”

Was it bribery? Yes, was it technically against school policy? Most definitely. Were you going to say no to free credits for the history of magic? Absolutely not.

You should have been clued in, when she didn't tell you who you were tutoring, but like your father and brother, your eye was on the prize. Instead of a snitch, however, yours were the new napping opportunities in your least favorite subject.

You were told by the professor that the study sessions would take place during dinner, and you were allowed to request food from the house elves before or after the meetings. You had to wonder; why was this student getting all these special treatments? And what did you have to do with it? Imagine your surprise when you walked into the library when dinner was taking place, only for your eyes to land on the candle lit silhouette of Mattheo Riddle himself.

You knew him, of course you did, his father had tried to kill your entire family, while you didn't endure the worst of it, Merlin, you were still in your mothers stomach at the time, your fathers horror stories of the DeathEaters and the recounting of the night was so etched into your brain you could likely recall it as if you stood in that room. The day your father saved the wizarding world, by simply, picking up his wand from the couch when he opened the door.

Despite it all, you tried not to judge him by the actions of his father, so that the only thing you had left were the numerous bloodied fights he'd been a part of since he walked through the doors of Hogwarts. Not to mention the amount of broken hearted witches that clung to his heels.

Though, now, as you stared at him across the empty Library, he seemed so… peaceful. Calm and reserved, maybe it was the yellow light, or maybe it was the way he seemed to be genuinely enraptured by whatever he was reading. Sitting patiently, just waiting. Waiting for you. You quickly snapped out of your daze, walking forward to stand in front of him.

Mattheo lazily glanced up before his eyes widened slightly and his mouth opened a bit in slack shock. “Potter.”

“Riddle.” You acknowledged him. He didn't seem offended or bothered by your presence, more, confused. There was an easy silence between you two before you gestured to the seat beside him. “May I?”

“... be my guest.”

That's where it all started. Mattheo was nothing like who you thought he'd be. He was respectful, kind, studious and incredibly clever. You had to admit, Minerva was right, he had incredible potential beyond what he seemed to think of himself. He just needed time to sit down and work, instead of his usual activities, and whatever impression he was trying to make for himself.

Your meetings were frequent, and his grades started to improve. As you got closer, the change in his behavior in class was the first thing you noticed. He began to actually work in potions, probably the only class you shared being a year younger and a Griffondor. You heard from Harry that he had actually scored higher than most of their shared class in Transfiguration. Though, it was a comment out of malice, you couldn't deny how it made you preen with pride.

In the halls you were strangers, but in your personal nook of the library, you were a deadly dynamic. He was a flirt, you knew that before, but he never said the raunchy things he'd say to the girls in the halls he'd flirt with, to you. The occasional comment on your eyes or your calligraphy, maybe some that toed the line of platonic study buddies. You figured that was how he showed affection, but you had no real reference point for it.

If it was another thing that you knew about Mattheo that not many others knew, it was that he adored praise. All forms of it. He would get bashful and try to hide away from it, but you would see how much harder he tried to impress you everytime. You found it amusing, you would hear the teachers praise him and he'd simply shrug it off, trying to play it cool. But in those private moments between.. friends, when you were revising his essay, with mutters of, “That's a spectacular way to look at it, Riddle.”

And

“That's brilliant. You're brilliant.”

He would turn as red as a tomato. It made you smile. This was the version of him no one else could or ever would have. It made you cocky, it made you want more of the secret Mattheo, the one he only showed to the closest people.

You had gotten so used to Mattheo’s presence. He had stayed out of trouble, been doing wonderfully in his classes, and he still insisted on your study dates. Said they were the only thing keeping him interested in the classes he took. Ever the flirt.

You guessed being used to Mattheo Riddle of all people was the first part to an awful downward spiral. You had fallen for him. Hard.

You first noticed when he had to cancel one of your meetings. He was passing you in the hall, two Prefects had him by his forearms, and Snape was rattling on about a proper punishment for him. He had a cut lip and a gnarly battered nose. You were on your way to the library to meet, but when you made eye contact with him you visibly deflated. He had that stupid cocky look on his face, teeth stained red as he winked at a few girls he passed, focusing on anything but Snape’s words.

When his eyes met yours, however, his lips twitched and his eyes lost their twinkle. Like a puppy being told no. Or properly, a boy ashamed. And he should feel ashamed.

You had forgotten who he was when you weren't buried in your books. So for the first time in weeks, you were at the Gryffindor dining table, across from Ginny and Seamus, poking at your food in disinterest. Surrounded by friends and family, and yet so incredibly lonely. Ginny eventually caved to your moping, looking over with a loud click of her tongue.

“{Y/N}?” She called over and your eyes flicked up and an easy smile took over your face. “Ginny?”

“It's good to see you, you've been avoiding the dining hall for a while now.” She teased and leaned her legs forward to lock her ankles around one of yours to keep you in place. You couldn't help but give a cheeky grin at this.

“Well, I would argue anything is better than being forced to watch you make heart eyes at my brother.” You shot back and Harry looked up from his plate curious, met with the view of you being smacked in the face with a bun.

“Hey!” You challenged and grabbed your own bun before you heard your head of house clear her throat behind you. Slowly, you set down the bread and looked back at her as she gave you a quizzing look. Clearly confused by you being there, asking with her eyes. Not even having noticed the gluten assault.

“Rain check.” You remarked and shrugged before she let out a simple ‘ah’ and walked off. This just set off Ginny’s and now Harry’s curiosity.

“What was all that? Thought you were meeting a boy, if I'm honest, now I'm not sure.” Ron mumbled and Harry tilted his head at you.

“Ew, don't say that, that's my baby sister.” Harry huffed and looked over at you. His expression said it all. “What have you been getting up to?”

You stared at him before slowly smirking, leaning your chin on your palm. “Huh, well, me and Ginny are the same age-”

Then, another bun, to your face, courtesy of your brother. “That's enough out of you.” He huffed.

That's how you got here. Sitting in the forbidden woods, trying to demonstrate to Mattheo how to use a patronus, something your parents showed you when you were younger. Your study rendezvous has long since become time to study more than just your core classes. No one else was around, just you two, while everyone else was hidden away in the grand hall eating.

“So, firstly, this is a spell that most wizards and witches cannot use. So don't be afraid if you never come to pass.” You explained and he rolled his eyes playfully.

“Right, if I'm not past the level you were at as a toddler, end my misery early.” He teased and you gave a playful scoff and crossed your arms. “Not a toddler, just 12.”

He rolled his eyes with his own smirk playing on his lips. You found yourself staring at the peak of his teeth, threw his lips, you felt your entire body respond in kind. “To be fair, you don't need to feel self conscious, I mean, I am leagues above you, even now.”

He gave an offended gasp and put his hand on his chest. His smirk turned wolfish as he walked up to your side. “Is that a challenge, Potter?”

“Define a challenge, I usually just call it confidence.” You quipped and he gave you a once over, you rolled your eyes fondly.

“Okay, minx, I get three tries. If I summon my patronus, you have to go to Hogsmeade with me this Sunday.” He mused and leaned into your space. You smirked and stood taller, wetting your lips before you glanced from his eyes to his lips then back. “Let's hope you prove me wrong then, Riddle.”

He did not. Prove you wrong, that is.

Once you told Riddle about the happy memory clause, he seemed less confident. He wasn't even able to produce sparks, and got increasingly agitated with each failure. Usually, he would pull out a smoke and take a break, and you were curious as to why he didn't.

Every other day before you grew close, you would spy him smoking with his friends in the courtyard, but when you mentioned you hated the smell in the library, he started to hold off until after to smoke.

At least, that's what he told you. He would not tell you the truth, that the moment you told him you hated the smell he chucked the last box he had into the black lake.

Mattheo went through his life without any real care. He only ever experienced fear, anger, and disappointment directed at him. He had his friends, Draco, Theodore, Pansy, even Blaise but none of them were particularly affectionate. Past his playful flirting with Pansy, that he now used as a reference for your friendship, he didn't truly have positive influences on his emotions.

Usually, that would result in him using a poor girl or two to get over whatever he was hung up on. Then, he met you.

Out of everyone, he figured you had reason to hate him most. His father tried to kill your family, his mother killed your parents' friends, his current friends bullied your brother, and he was assumed a death eater before proven one. But that night, he was proven wrong for the first time, when you sat down next to him and smiled. He had never seen something so breathtaking, something that was meant for him.

He had felt for women before, physical and emotional, but never had he experienced you. In all honesty, he never truly looked at you before. You were Harry Potter’s sister, that was enough reason to stay away. Merlin, did he fuck up.

Being friends with you was hardly acceptable, but falling for you? It made him feel all the more pathetic. Knowing he was falling for someone who would never think of dating him. Here he was, making the worst mistakes of his life over and over again.

“Don't get in your head about it.” Your voice called him from his thoughts. He snapped out of it and looked at you. You tilted your head and smiled, hands on your hips in determination. You had taken off your robe, as if to say you meant business. Sleeves rolled up to your elbows and wand brandished. “Just think about something that makes you happy. Happy enough to smile at nothing.”

“Smile at nothing?” He muttered in an amused tone. Breathing you in like fresh air.

“At. Nothing.” You insisted and waved your wand. “My memory is when my dad took me to visit my grandparents' graves.” You hummed and he gave a startled laugh.

“Morbid, darling.”

“Oh, not like that.” You laughed. “I listened to my dad talk about them, like, all the time. Mum too.”

You gestured to the pond and his eyes followed yours. “My dad made it easy, it felt like I was really meeting them, ya know? He talked about me and Harry like we were the most important things in his life. I think I felt his love for them in me too, but towards him. I just felt so lucky.”

Mattheo stared at your awe filled eyes and he gave a small sigh through his nose. It was out of fondness, of course, but he couldn't deny the bit of jealousy that perked up in his chest when she said that. “Yeah.. lucky.” He mumbled.

You looked back at him and your face fell a bit. You had just spent the last two minutes rubbing your fathers love in his face- Merlin. You slowly gave a cautious smile, considering he was still staring at you like you hung the stars. It maked your ears grow hot and your nerves light up.

You reached over to graze his hand, and he seemed to snap out of his trance, slowly, he wrapped his hand around yours, his calloused fingers covering your hand fully. You guys sat like that for a moment, before you raised your wand higher and stepped closer. Leaning your head against his chest and waving it.

Your patronus whipped out of your wand, the fox wiggling its nose in greeting before she ran around you two in circles. You began to laugh at her enthusiasm, and Mattheo even gave a chuckle. Your eyes on your patronus, his eyes on you. How was he going to win anyway? He was making his happiest memories now.

“I think I can try again.” He whispered and you looked up at him, your patronus vanishing behind you as you lost your focus. He was giving you a look you had never seen before, it was almost dangerous, how easy it was for him to make a mess of you.

“You think?” You couldn’t bring yourself to say anything above a whisper. He pulled you flush against him, taking the dazed look you were giving him as confirmation. You wanted him too. He could have fainted.

“Want to help me?”

“How?”

You got your answer, in the form of his lips pressing so gently against yours. It was electric, your entire face grew hot and you forgot how to breathe for a moment. His hands found a firmer grip on your waist and you slowly wrapped your arms around his neck. You lost yourself in the kiss, letting him lead as he clearly had more experience.

Mattheo couldn't help it, maybe this wouldn't be a mistake. Maybe it was only fair. Being with you made him feel human, like just another boy falling for just another girl. He wanted to feel like this forever. Normal, with you.

He did not try again that night, far too distracted.

You met him like that several more times, dinner study bled into evenings, innocent touches became intimate, and bold teases became hushed whispers in his dorm room. The very dorm room you were coming back from now. Walking back just after curfew.

When you made it back to the common room the first thing you noticed was your own reflection, your hair was frazzled and your uniform was creased. You found yourself wondering how all of that could happen from just a kiss. Followed by a few more. And then some more,, you could completely understand how it happened, actually. You’ll remember it forever.

Once you fixed your appearance, the second thing you noticed was Harry sitting on the couch with a parchment on his lap, next to him was a nervous Ron and a shockingly ridgid Hermione. Harry’s eyes were on you, Ron’s was on his hands, and Hermione was faking reading a book. You pause before you made it to the stairs, slowly walking over to the three. “Hey you guys! What are we up to?”

“Nothing, just been waiting a few hours.” Harry snarked and you narrowed your eyes in confusion. Suddenly you remembered, you had agreed to meet the trio out for Quidditch practice, they had managed to just get enough people for two full teams, guilt filled your chest.

“Shoot, Harry I am so-” Before you could even start to grovel he stood up and Hermione sighed, Ron quickly speaking up.

“Where were you?” Harry demanded.

“Come on, Harry.” Ron tried to interrupt. “At least not in the common room.”

“What?” You whispered and Harry shoved the parchment in your hands. It wasn't just any piece of paper, it was the map. Your fathers map.

Your jaw went slack and you looked up at Harry, Your guilt was quickly overturned by anger. “Were you stalking me!?” You exclaimed and thanked Merlin the common room was empty this late.

“I thought something had happened! Don't deflect! Where were you?!”

“None of your business you slime!”

“You come out of the Slytherin dorms with Voldemort’s son and it's none of my business?” He whisper hissed, You scoffed.

“Yes, none of your business!” You snapped back and threw the map on the ground. “I don't have to answer to you! And his name is Mattheo!” You hissed back and stepped on the charmed paper, dragging it under your heel. “You’d do best to remember that. I'm not a bloody kid, Harry!”

“You're my sister!” He challenged and you scoffed.

“He's a monster! A Slytherin, his parents are horrid, and our-”

“Do not say another word, Harry.” You threatened as you began to stomp off to your dorm and he huffed. Kneeling down to pick up the parchment and dust it off.

“I’ll make it easy for you.” He called over and you turned to face him with a glare. “You break up with him, or I’ll tell father over the summer.”

Your face fell and your heart stopped. Harry had this look about him, like he didn't want to be doing this, but yet, he was.

“You wouldn’t-” You spoke slowly and Harry sighed.

“Two days.”

Those two days were blissful hell. You weren't going to break up with Mattheo, there was no way in muggle hell you were going to willingly give him up.

You did try to talk to him about it, however, several times. At least to warn him why he may have a war hero Auror setting a bounty on his head soon. Your father was protective, far more than you thought was necessary, but he treated everyone as black or white. Usually, everyone was allowed his love and care, that being said, Voldemort was a sore subject.

You would say you were trying your best, but Mattheo was so… Mattheo. He was hard to talk to. A very… physical person? He would complain about how you would be leaving the school in mere days for summer, followed by you being drowned in kisses and wandering hands.

Merlin two days was not enough. Next thing you knew, you were home, in your room, counting the minutes until your mother called you down for dinner.

You began to bite your nails, scrunching up your face when you bit down too far. You sighed as you heard Lily call you and Harry down.

You walked into the hall to see Harry waiting at the top of the staircase for you. He looked regretful, but stern. “Harry-”

“I’ll give you the chance. To tell them yourself.” He mumbled before he walked down the stairs. You mentally prepared yourself and walked as slow as you could down the stairs. Not noticing as Harry glanced at your neck.

When you walked into the dinning room, your heart dropped. Your mother, father, Uncle Moony, and Uncle Padfoot were all at the table. You cursed and clenched your jaw, Harry stared down at his plate and you sat beside him by Remus. You gave your mom a small thank you as she served you. Sirius and your father were making jokes about their Quidditch days after Harry bragged about their most recent win. You relished in the moment, before all hell broke loose.

You asked your father a question about the story, just trying to seem engaged. He lit up at your interest, turning to face you fully. “Well! When you're a beater, there is this unspoken rule that everyone follows and.. what the bloody hell is that?”

You narrowed your eyes at his sudden tone change. “What?” You whispered as you looked around the table, all eyes were on you. You took a shaken breath and bit your cheek. “I-”

“That's a hickey, dad.” Harry muttered and took a bite of his food. Your face fell and all the blood left it.

“A what!?” He exclaimed and fixed his glasses on his face, you quickly covered your collarbone. Sirius gripped his silverware, hard, taking a steady breath. “How old are ya, hun?” He asked and you snapped your attention to him. Stuttering and stammering for a moment.

“I think the better question is, who did that? It's bloody horrific.” Remus muttered and you stared up at him with wide, horrified eyes. “U-uncle Moony!”

“Boys, calm down. She's 16, and James, we talked about this. Our kids will be dating soon, I mean, Harry has that Ginny girl and you never fuss at him.” Lily tried to defend and James scoffed.

“This is hardly the same! I raised him! I don't know a thing about this boy!”

“Or girl.” Remus smirked and James felt his face fall in shock and you groaned, slowly covering your face.

“Remus.” Lily hissed out. “James.” She warned before Sirius spoke up.

“Fine, fine, it's all fine. I mean, what harm could he do? We've taught her everything she needs to know about the world. Probably some Hufflepuff boy.” He tried to dismiss, and Remus, ever the instigator tonight, spoke up again.

“I'd be shocked if a Hufflepuff did that to my nieces neck.” He mumbled and James began to breathe quicker and heavier.

“Right, right, fine. You're being safe, right?” He asked bluntly and you groaned, melting into your seat. “Please, anything but this conversation right now.”

Lily gave a small fond smile and tutted at the boys. “Well honey, you should invite him over this summer break. I'd love to meet him.” She offered and then Harry gave a laugh. You shot him a look. “Don't you dare.”

“Dare. Very much dare, Harry.” Sirius quipped and Harry looked at you with a pursed lip before he sighed and spoke up. “Don't think you'd want him here is all.”

“Harry.” You warned, Lily sighing. “Harry, you stop that right now.”

“What? I'm just being honest, dad and padfoot hate Slytherins.” He mused plainly, and James dropped his silverware.

Sirius gave a laugh, throwing his head back before it slowly died out as he saw your red face. “No-”

“Why does his house matter?” You scoffed. “Not all Slytherins are the same.”

“Yeah, just so happens that he's just the type dad hates.” Harry muttered before he took a sip of water. “Happens to be one he particularly-”

“Harry James Potter!” Lily shouted at him and he had enough sense to seem guilty. He looked down as you tried to sink deeper into your seat.

“I had a feeling.” Remus spoke up and you looked at him in shock. He gave you a side eyed glance. “You had a quidditch jersey in your bag. You don't play and certainly not for Slytherin.”

You looked down at your hands on your lap as your father shouted. “Why didn't you tell us, Remus!”

“This,” He gestured with his fork towards his husband and best friend. “You're terrifying the poor girl. I saw the name, I have to agree with Harry, you'd lose it.”

“What?” James snapped and Lily slammed her hands on the table. “Will you cut it out? All three of you! Do you want her to hide things from us forever? She'll tell us in her own time.”

Sirius groaned and began to pick at his food. “Whatever. As long as it isn't Malfoy.” He huffed and you shyly shook your head. Sirius gave an exaggerated groan of relief. “Thank Merlin.”

“Who did that, sweetheart?” James prodded with a warning glare from Lily. “James.” She whispered and they locked eyes. They held that look before he clicked his tongue.

“I asked you a question, niffler.” James prodded, and Lily slowly closed her eyes, covering her face.

“Dad, I really think-”

“Your dad asked you something.” Remus suddenly spoke up and you looked over at him to meet his eyes. Then it hit you. What he had said moments ago. He knew.

“I-”

“Y/N.” Sirius prodded and Lily gave you a sympathetic look. She could command your father on a lot of things. But never about you and Harry.

“Mattheo. Mattheo Riddle.” Harry suddenly spoke up, and your blood ran cold. You sunk as deep as you could into your seat and Lily gave a squeak of surprise, before covering her mouth. Remus thinned his lips and clenched his jaw.

“No you aren't.” James said simply and you covered your face.

“{Y/N}. No you aren't.”

“Dad, please.” You sniffed, overwhelmed. You sat up and straightened yourself. “He isn't some, bad guy-”

Remus scoffed and Sirius slammed his fist on the table. “His father-!”

“He isn't his father!” You challenged, shooting up from your seat and glaring at your uncle. “You of all people should understand that!”

“Watch your mouth.” James hissed and stood up as well. You scoffed and threw your hands up. “I don't understand! He's done nothing wrong! Nothing to any of us! I get that he's not this image you had in your head of what you wanted for me-”

“Dorcas.. Marlene.” Your mother whispered and your body stiffened. You looked over at your mother and your heart broke at her distress. You reached out and she sniffled, dismissing herself. Your shoulders fell and you looked back to your father.

He was staring at you with a look you've never seen.

“Dad-”

“Your room. Now.”

“Dad! That's not fair in the slightest I-”

“Room!” He boomed and you sniffled before running off. Slamming the dining room door behind you as you walked upstairs.

It would be a long summer.

~~~

Mattheo was missing you. He had been missing you for days now. You said you would write to him, but he didn't get a single letter. He figured it was likely you were busy, you did have a family to distract you after all.

So, he wrote you a letter instead. He didn't want to think about how desperate it sounded, how desperate he was for you. He didn't look over it more than once before he sent it.

Little did he know, the second James heard an owl outside, he shot to his feet and hurried to intercept it. You were ever oblivious, in your parents room as you and Lily shared one of many heartfelt conversations over the brief summer. Your mother was doing her best to understand, but it was trouble, trying to believe he wasn't doing this for some master plan down the line. You both went quiet when you heard your father call you both.

When you walked into the parlor room, you sat down on the couch, You looked at the table in front of you and grimaced, You'd know that parchment anywhere.

There was a long pause, before James spoke up. “The last time I saw this parchment, it was a letter Beatrix Lestrange sent us in our third safe house. Telling us she knew where we were, and that she was coming. Coming to kill your family, {Y/N}.” He leaned forward and picked up the letter and you refused to look him in the eyes.

“It’s nostalgic, really. But these words? ‘I yearn for you. I look at my textbooks from over the years and I wonder what it would be like to have you read them to me’.” He declared. “ ‘You made even the most complex of spells doable. You made things doable’.”

Your mother couldnt help but smile a bit at his words. You grimaced.

“Charming, isnt it? If only the rest of the letter wasnt riddled with innuendo of what this fuck wants to do to my daughter.”

You winced and sighed, the grimace not leaving your face. Mattheo that.. Idiot.

Then,, your mother began to laugh, and James looked at her from the corner of his eyes. “What? Is this funny?”

“Quite.” She smirked. “Sounds like the letters you would send me in school. I used to burn them.”

He scoffed and leaned back in his seat. “That makes me feel fantastic. He’s a bastard like I was in school.”

“Well.” Lily spoke slowly. “Look at us now.”

Lily looked over at you just in time for you to glance up and meet her eyes. She smiled sweetly before she continued. “I think its sweet.”

#harry potter #harry potter fanfiction #sirius black #james potter #remus x sirius #remus loves sirius #sirius orion black #remus lupin #sirius being sirius #moony x padfoot #mattheo riddle #mattheo x you #mattheoxreader #mattheo x y/n #slytherin

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muiitoloko · 2 months

Note

hello, I love you’re stories. By any chance, do you plan to write stories featuring Snape ? If not will you be writing a next part of colonel Brandon ? In any case continue to ravish us with your writing and thanks for advising some others writers in one of your below post, they’re so good too !

Title: The Homecoming

Summary: Severus Snape returns home from Hogwarts to his loving wife, finding solace and tenderness in their rare moments together as they cherish their time away from the chaos. Despite the lingering scars and weariness from his battles, their deep connection and mutual support offer a sanctuary of love and peace.

Pairing: Severus Snape × Fem! Reader

Warning: none

Author's Notes: Hey there! Thanks so much for loving my stories! 😊 I’m totally up for writing about any character if people ask, but I must admit, Snape already has a ton of stories out there. I’m more excited about diving into Alan’s characters who don’t get as much love, though I’m definitely willing to write about Snape too! As for Colonel Brandon, I’m currently out of ideas, but I do plan to continue his story soon. And I’m thrilled you liked the other writers I mentioned—they’re my favorites here on Tumblr too! 😄

Severus Snape entered the house, his tall, lean figure slightly hunched from fatigue. The long, dark robes he wore enhanced his imposing presence, even as he exuded exhaustion. His long, greasy black hair framed his pale, angular face, and his piercing dark eyes softened only slightly upon seeing you.

You rushed to him, wrapping your arms around his waist. "Severus," you murmured, pressing your face against his chest. "I missed you."

Snape’s deep, monotone voice carried a hint of warmth as he responded, "And I missed you, my love." He held you tightly, savoring the rare moment of intimacy. As headmaster of Hogwarts, he rarely found time to return home, living more within the castle walls than in the comfort of your shared home. This weekend was one of those rare occasions, leaving the responsibility of maintaining the castle to Minerva McGonagall while he returned home for a well-deserved rest with you, his wife of three years.

"I can't believe you're actually here," you said, looking up at him with a smile. "How was Hogwarts?"

Snape sighed, a hint of weariness in his voice. "The same as always, though Minerva is more than capable of handling things in my absence."

You nodded, guiding him towards the living room. "Come, let’s sit down. You look like you need a rest."

As you led him to the couch, Snape’s eyes softened even more. "I need more than just rest," he said, his voice dropping to a low, intimate tone. "I need you."

But you didn't seem to hear him, very excited to have him home. You sat him down on the couch and began bombarding him with questions, your chatter filling the room. "Are you hungry? Do you want something to eat? How was your trip? Did anything interesting happen at Hogwarts? Oh, Severus, your hair is so greasy! Have you been making potions and not washing your hair again?"

Snape raised an eyebrow, a faint smile playing on his lips despite his exhaustion. "One question at a time, please," he said, his deep, monotone voice carrying a hint of amusement.

You laughed, sitting down beside him and taking his hand in yours. "Sorry, I'm just so happy to have you home. Let’s start with the most important question: are you hungry?"

Snape nodded slightly. "I could eat something, yes."

You jumped up, eager to prepare something for him. "I'll make your favorite! Just sit here and relax."

As you bustled around the kitchen, Snape leaned back on the couch, allowing himself a rare moment of relaxation. The sound of you moving about, the familiar sights and smells of your home, began to soothe the weariness in his bones. He watched you with a soft expression, his piercing dark eyes reflecting a rare moment of peace.

A few minutes later, you returned with a tray, setting it down on the coffee table in front of him. "Here you go, Severus. Eat up."

Snape took a bite, savoring the taste. "Thank you," he said simply, his voice warm.

You sat beside him again, watching him eat with a smile on your face. "So, tell me about Hogwarts. How are things going there?"

Snape sighed, setting down his fork for a moment. "As I said, it's the same as always. The students are as troublesome as ever, but Minerva is managing them well in my absence."

You nodded, listening intently. "And what about you? How are you holding up?"

He looked at you, his expression softening. "It's difficult, as always. But knowing I can come home to you makes it bearable."

You reached out, taking his hand in yours. "I'm glad you're here, Severus. I worry about you."

Snape squeezed your hand gently. "And I you, my love. But for now, let's enjoy this time together."

You leaned in, pressing a gentle kiss to his cheek. "Of course. I'm just so happy to have you home."

As you settled in beside him, the two of you fell into a comfortable silence, savoring the rare and precious moments of togetherness. The world outside might be filled with challenges and dangers, but within the walls of your home, there was a sanctuary of love and peace.

You then played with his hair, noticing its greasy texture. Snape, already irritated, muttered, "Stop it," but you insisted, twirling the strands between your fingers. Snape shot you a stern look, which you completely ignored, prompting him to roll his eyes. Despite his initial resistance, he allowed you to continue, feeling your fingers trail down the back of his neck to the collar of his robes.

As you pulled down the high collar, the scars left by Nagini on his neck were revealed—a stark reminder of the miracle that he survived. Your touch was gentle, your fingers tracing the jagged lines with care.

"Severus," you whispered, your voice filled with a mixture of sadness and admiration, "these scars… it's a miracle you're here."

Snape's dark eyes softened slightly, though his tone remained guarded. "A miracle, or perhaps just a twist of fate," he replied, setting down his fork and turning to face you fully. "Either way, I am here."

You leaned in, pressing a gentle kiss to one of the scars. "I'm grateful for that twist of fate every day," you said softly.

Snape's expression was a mixture of weariness and gratitude. "As am I," he murmured, his voice tinged with emotion he rarely allowed himself to show. "Though I wish I could spare you the sight of these reminders."

You shook your head, your eyes meeting his with unwavering resolve. "They are part of you, Severus. Part of the man I love."

He sighed, a hint of a smile playing at the corners of his lips. "You are far too forgiving, my dear."

"And you are far too hard on yourself," you countered, your fingers continuing their gentle exploration of his neck. "You are a hero, Severus. You need to remember that."

Snape chuckled softly, a rare sound that sent warmth through your heart. "If you insist," he said, his voice still carrying that familiar, dry tone. "Though I must say, your persistence is quite remarkable."

You laughed, leaning in to press a kiss to his lips. "Well, someone has to remind you of your worth."

Snape returned the kiss, his hand cupping your cheek with a tenderness that contrasted sharply with his usual demeanor. "And for that, I am eternally grateful."

You smiled, resting your forehead against his. "Let's make the most of this weekend, Severus. No more talk of scars or battles. Just us."

He nodded, his eyes reflecting a rare moment of peace. "Just us," he agreed, pulling you into his arms.

The two of you sat there in comfortable silence, savoring the precious moments of togetherness. The world outside, with all its challenges and dangers, seemed a distant memory within the sanctuary of your home. And as the evening wore on, you both found solace in each other's presence, grateful for the love that had brought you together and the strength that would see you through whatever lay ahead.

#alan rickman #alan rickman x reader #severus snape x reader #severus snape #harry potter

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talesof-old · 3 months

Text

dearest gentle readers | introduction

pairing(s): marauders (undetermined) x reader

warning(s): eventually 18+, bridgerton au, mentions of marriage, slight cursing?, i’m not british so just pretend i know what i’m talking about, mentions of scandal and incest, not proofread/edited so forgive me

word count: 818

masterlist

Sponsored by Lady Minerva McGonagall and desperate to find a match before you’re truly considered a spinster, you find yourself caught up in the whirlwind that is The Season. Will you be able to find a husband by August? Or is fortune just as fickle as the ton?

Swathes of fabric lined with lace, ruffles, and beads filled the great expanse of the room.

Yellows as pale as cream and blues as deep as midnight thrown over chase and chair. London’s dreary gloom seemed brighter the longer such a vibrant array of colors decorated the space. Lady Minerva McGonagall wasted no expense on the three debutantes she’d chosen to sponsor again this season.

Beside you, Mary eyed the fabrics with rapt attention.

You fingered the expensive satin silk of the dress nearest to you. Simple in silk, but a striking royal purple, it truly was a marvel of craftsmanship.

“I can’t believe how many dresses there are.” Mary’s Scottish accent appeared to be far less pronounced than what you might’ve imagined, but you three were sure to be an odd bunch. Lady McGonagall had sponsored you lot for two years already. A favor welcomed by your not-so-noble families. Or rather, your not-so-wealthy families.

“I’ve decided on new wardrobes for you this season. You will be married by the end of it, if I have any say. Mary’s are by the window and Lily’s are by the bed.”

Minerva’s sharp gaze turned to you. You’d had either the luck or misfortune (which one it was, you weren’t quite sure) to additionally spend the last few years as Minerva’s ward. Her rough edges were thorns you’d grown accustomed to, especially in her times attempting to make you a reputable lady.

“Your’s are by the chest of drawers.”

She’d certainly paid attention to detail. Mary’s dresses consisted almost entirely of her favorites: warm pinks and oranges. Brilliantly cut to showcase her clavicle, each dress appeared as if it would cover her breasts modestly but still draw attention to her long, slender neck. The simplicity of their silhouettes showcased the utterly perfect embroidery that decorated each bodice and skirt.

Lily’s were a myriad of greens, sprinkled with the occasional peach or yellow. Her soft, drapey dresses contrasted beautifully with the sleek lines of Mary’s attire.

Your own clothes appeared to be a quite suitable mixture of the two.

In moody shades of blue and violet, with the odd periwinkle and silver, you were honestly looking forward to donning the impressive garments. Any jewelry you wore would be borrowed from Lady McGonagall’s extensive collection. A collection, you were afraid to say, you’d miss dearly once you wed.

It was Lily that surged forward to examine her pieces, a chorus of thank yous from each of your lips as you did the same. Minerva smiled knowingly. Your dresses last year and the year before were beautiful, yes, but these actually suited you in a way those hadn’t. Three years of sponsoring the same girls had gone from a favour to fondness. She leaned onto her cane as her gaze flicked between you all. Still, she would be lying if she said she wasn’t eager to find you husbands.

“This is beautiful,” Lily breathed. In her hands, an elegant ensemble of a cream colored fabric hung. You grinned. If this was any indication of how this year’s season would go, you were more than ready. Jill, Minerva’s favorite maid, entered the room holding four sheets of familiar pale paper. Your eyes narrowed in delight. Lady Whistledown’s Society Papers were a joy every season. Mary reached for the pamphlet first. She knew better than anyone how gossip could be wielded as a weapon, and her eagerness to uncover the secrets of this year’s marriage mart was palpable. You felt the same.

Dearest Gentle Readers,

How lovely it is to greet you again. Our time away from Society has proven wonderfully refreshing indeed, though I would be quite the liar if I claimed to not miss you. Our extraordinary ton has now returned from our glorious reprieve, and it seems there are a many anxious mamas hoping to prey on the unsuspecting wiles of this Season’s eligible bachelors.

Last year, scandal swept through the ton when none other than Miss Narcissa Black married Duke Lucius Malfoy in secret after a supposedly whirlwind love affair. Hopefully, Mr. Sirius Black is as unbothered as he appears.

Regardless of the nearly disastrous ending to last year’s entertaining exploits, the new batch of debutantes seem sparkling indeed.

There is fierce Lady Charity Burbage, who proves to be a bold wonder amongst a meek crowd. Or perhaps one might find interest in Lady Aurora Sinistra, who I dare say is more brilliant and sharp than ever. Even Lady Pandora Rosier seems dreamier of late.

There is one thing for certain, reader: this season will be one to remember.

Keep your wits about you. Scandal lurks in every corner, as tricky as a hungry fox and more than ready to sink its claws into an unknowing victim. Guard your hearts, gentle ton, for I fear what I will write this season will be quite damning indeed.

Yours Truly,

Lady Whistledown

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ashdreams2023 · 8 months

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Hello! I was wondering if I could request a Severus Snape x older sister reader? We know Sev is like a grouchy and independent person, I kinda want to see him turn into an attention seeking little baby when it comes to his older sister lol. Like imagine Dumbledore and McGonagall's shock when they see Sev whining to a woman who they don't recognize (I was thinking she didn't go to Hogwarts and went to another magical school) They didn't even know Sev has any siblings whatsoever. So basically reader visits Severus in Hogwarts (he's already a professor) She hasn't seen him in a couple of years due to her profession or something. Reader still sees Sev as her baby brother she used to take care of.

Finally gotten to this one! I was actually dying to do this it’s so cute!

Severus snape x big sister reader

Sevy

Everyone knew not to cross their professors at hogwarts, especially the intimidating potions master, severus snape, the most feared professor in the school.

Even the older professors had a great deal of respect for the young professor.

"Honestly I can’t believe he didn’t even give me one chance to correct myself!?" One hufflepuff groaned to his friend, no one was safe from severus on a bad day, even his brightest students.

"Drop it mate, you can make up for it in the next pop test-"

"Hey boys, do you know where Professor snape office is?" The two teenagers stopped in their tracked and looked at the woman speaking to them.

You smiled in a friendly manner at them and repeated your question, one of them pointed at the end of the hall. The dungeons, that figures.

"Thank you boys" The two stared at you as you walked away.

"Who is she and why is she looking for snape?"

"Who knows, but I pity her regardless…"

Meanwhile after some walking you ended up finding the office, you looked at the time table hung on the wall, his office hours were still open.

You grinned to yourself and walked.

Albus and minerva waited and waited, it was unlike severus to miss their daily meeting after lunch but here they were alone with each other’s company for the past thirty minutes.

"You don’t think something came up, don’t you albus?"

"I’m not quite sure dear Minerva but we ought to go check on him"

The two older professors took a long and silent walk down to the dungeons, where they knew he spent most of his time and knocked on his door but no answer.

"Could he have went to do some errands?"

"In the middle of a school day? That’s very unlike him…"

"The greenhouse perhaps?" The wise witch suggested. The headmaster hummed before leading the way up to the greenhouse.

They had expected a lot but what they witnessed wasn’t what they had anticipated for.

"I swear to god sevy you need to learn how to grow your own stuff, you’re a potion master" you sighed plucking one of the plants in the very back of the greenhouse with severus kneeling down near an empty plant pot.

"You know i can’t do it right! See they keep dying on me" Severus whined gesturing to the broken pots in the corner of the place.

The headmaster and vise duty stared in disbelief, severus snape was pouting, he was whining and acting unlike his stock self.

"I’ve taught you a million times, the soil have to be the right kind, you can’t expect your big sissy to be here to help you all the time"

"I know I know, I’m not a baby anymore" he got up and dusted himself off then cringed childishly when you started wiping the dirt stuck on his face "Stop!"

"No! Hold still, just because you got taller doesn’t mean you can go around looking like we still live in rags"

Albus coughed in his fist catching the attention of both adults.

"Oh hi! Sorry to intrude, I was just helping sevy here learn how to plant a practical plant for his potion making"

"And you are?" Asked the older witch.

Severus cleared his throat spoke "This is my older sister headmaster, Minerva" the two professors looked dumbfounded by the news, severus never mentioned having a sibling and a witch at that!

"But wait…why haven’t you attended hogwarts with severus?" Albus was curious to say the least.

"Well, to make short I asked mother to go to another school because my passion for herbology couldn’t be fulfilled in hogwarts you see, so I went to Uagadou"

Severus looked down at you with settle pride, you have achieved so much throughout the years and he looked up to you, you’ve become a great scientist and made some big discoveries across the globe, many may not know your face but your stage name was to be hold.

"Anyways I came to visit sevy, it’s been so long since I saw this big baby" you laughed, he huffed pretending to be offended and pushed your arm to knock you off balance.

"Hey! Don’t test me boy! I used to change your diapers!" You pointed a finger at him.

He crossed his arms and pulled out his tongue at you.

Albus felt amused seeing the two siblings bicker but minerva chuckled, severus for once didn’t seem so uptight and proper, but rather…dare she say relaxed?

"I think you should join us to tea, I’ll love to hear your side of things, my dear son severus doesn’t speak much of his life back home"

You smirked "Oh do I have stories for you, and I think you’ll especially would enjoy the river one"

Severus’s cheeks flushed red before he ground covering his face in embarrassment "I beg you, stop making life harder!"

You didn’t care what he say and that afternoon was spent with everyone having tea and listening to your embarrassing stories about the eventful childhood in spinner’s end.

"Do you just enjoy humiliating me?"

"Oh sevy, relax you I do it because I care"

"I doubt it"

"You’re welcome"

#imagine #severus x reader #pro severus #pro severus snape #severus snape headcanon #severus snape #severus snape fanfiction #severus snape x y/n #platonic severus snape x reader #harry potter requests #severussnape #severus snape fluff #severus snape x you #severus snape x reader

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my-castles-crumbling · 7 months

Text

heart - @wolfstarmicrofic - word count: 410

(okay I asked someone who posted this idea a while back if I could write it and it finally came to me but now I forget who came up with the idea so just...know that this came from another tumblr post!)

Minerva McGonagall had known for years that Sirius Black and Remus Lupin were meant to be together.

As a professor, she obviously did not take a vested interest in her students' private relationships. That would be unprofessional. But...this was a special case.

You see, Sirius Black possessed a special place in Minerva's heart that few other students did. She felt for the boy. For his upbringing, for the way he flinched when his parents were mentioned. And Remus Lupin? Well, every professor in the school secretly favored Remus.

So when she started observing the way the two boys actions around each other changed as they grew? The way they smiled so brightly at each other? She hoped. She hoped to see the two of them happy. If any two students deserved it, it was them.

But then, to her dismay, as the boys finished their fifth year, things changed between the two boys. She saw awkward looks and hurt glances. Wishful gazes behind turned backs.

But she was smart, and she realized that sometimes, romance, especially young love, needs a little bit of a push. Which is how she devised her plan.

"Separate detentions?" James Potter whined at her after the four sixth-years got caught jinxing the paintings in the dungeon to sing offensive songs.

"Yes," she replied, keeping her voice firm. "You and Mister Black need to be given a break from each other." It was the perfect excuse. The two boys were too much trouble for their own good, anyway. "Mister Potter and Mister Pettigrew, you will join Professor Slughorn tomorrow evening. Mister Black and Mister Lupin, you will be joining me."

She ignored the angry grumbles from the boys.

The next evening, of course, Back and Lupin were to meet her in her classroom, where she was meant to be waiting.

Except (oops!), she showed up an hour late. That ought to be plenty of time, she thought, for a heart-to-heart conversation without their friends listening in.

Purposely making as much noise as possible, she stomped around a bit before opening the classroom door, just in time to see the two boys pull apart, cheeks a bit pink.

Smiling to herself, she said, "Sorry, boys! I forgot I even planned for your detention this evening. Since you were good enough to wait, you may leave."

She pretended not to see how quickly they both ran from the room, hands laced together.

Albus owed her ten galleons.

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emeritusemeritus · 1 year

Text

Turn back the hands of time. [Weasley twins x Reader]

Title: Turn back the hands of time.

Pairing: Fred Weasley x Reader, (George Weasley x Reader later)

Timeline: Set six months after Fred’s Death.

Summary: What if you got the gift of time just to relive a moment with your deceased beloved one more time?

Warnings: Fred does the big sleep. Death. Grief, tears, emotional trauma. Use of a time turner (setting my own rules here). Mentions of marriage and kids. So much pain. McGonagall being a queen. Reader is implied Gryffindor.

I apologise, this one hurts. 🥀

The six months that had passed since the love of your life died had been the most intolerable, excruciating months of your life. Nothing brought you comfort anymore; every single thing in your life was attached to memories of him, bittersweet and painful memories you were forced to relive each and everyday by simply existing. Each day from the second you woke you were reminded of the painful fact that you had to carry on living whilst he couldn't. There was no future for you anymore, no more dreams of small weddings and long honeymoons, no blessings of little ones or fantasies of being an author, holed up in a small little cabin hidden away in the forest like you'd always planned with Fred.

He would aparate into the shop each day and you would have a home office with a big, fancy writing desk placed directly in front of a large window to view the scenery around you as you wrote. After closing the shop and settling up for the night, Fred would return home and you'd cook together, spending evenings on the decking under twinkling lights as you appreciated your simple life. You'd had it all planned out in fine detail, the future you were no longer destined to have.

George was naturally devastated too, utterly broken by the loss of his twin brother. You two, being the closest people to Fred, had found just a smidge of comfort in each other initially but over time Fred's loss had built a wedge between you both, each of you only serving as a reminder of what you had both lost.

You'd not only lost your soulmate but also your best friend along the way and the family that had taken you in and loved you as one of their own.

You'd pulled away from them all the same week of Fred's funeral, finding it unfathomably hard to be around them all, the missing piece constantly highlighted in the sea of familiar red hair.

A good day for you these days meant accomplishing something as mundane as showering or eating some sort of meal. You knew you'd lost weight, the clothes you always wore hung off your body now the same way Fred's clothes used to. But you couldn't seem to stomach anything, the lingering pain and grief creating a sickness in you that couldn't be soothed.

The pain never truly ever left you but it did come in waves. Most the time is was like a background noise, a constant humming that ran through you like a curse but sometimes it was panic inducing pain, taking away your ability to breathe and function as haunting sobs wracked your body until you were crippled with agony, regret and hopeless longing.

You'd had a good day, as far as they went, managing to crawl out of bed and into the shower before trying to distract yourself with some muggle tv when a simple letter, delivered by owl, took your breath away once more.

Dear y/n,

I hope this letter finds you well, my thoughts have been with you each and every day since the battle. In Dumbledore's honour, we are conducting a memorial for the fallen and I would like to personally invite you to celebrate in the life of the loved ones we have lost. Fred's life will be celebrated by his staff, friends, family and fellow students as we pay respect to their bravery and sacrifice.

I would be honoured if you would join us.

With profound sympathy,

Minerva Mcgonagall.

You couldn't breathe again, tears streaming down your face as you read the letter through misty eyes, having to blink away the tears constantly to refocus your vision.

You didn't want to go. Your initial instinct was to burn the letter and hide from it, isolating yourself further and further until no one of your past life could ever find you again, lest contact you by owl. But you couldn't do that to Fred. He deserved everyone he loved and that loved him to celebrate his life, to tell stories of his triumphs and notorious endeavours in his time at Hogwarts. You couldn't be selfish this time, not for your Fred.

——

As you stepped into the all too familiar castle alone, you felt a dichotomy of feelings barrage you all at once. This had been your home since you were 11 years old, the place where you finally had a sense of belonging, where your best memories had been made, the place that you had met and fell in love with Fred Weasley and the place he'd died.

The castle had undergone extensive repairs and looked better than ever since the destruction from the war. Walking through the halls you felt both soothed and conflicted, the trembling of your hands never once leaving as you anticipated seeing everyone again.

"Y/n/n?" A familiar voice called from behind you, making your eyes close momentarily from the pain in their voice. You turned to see Ginny stood there, staring at you with a worried look on her face. She looked well, pretty, in sharp contrast to you.

"How?" She began to say as she walked towards you, thinking better of the statement before throwing her arms around you, "I'm so glad you're here."

You hummed a reply, already feeling an invisible weight tugging at you as you held your friend, the sister in law you'd once anticipated.

"Everyone's through here," she says, taking you by the hand as she led you towards the great hall, before you could protest. Your stomach roiled with nerves as you tried to keep your eyes down, not ready to see everyone again.

"Y/n?" A voice called out, the tone of shock and worry so intricately laced in the maternal tone it was hard to hear it. Molly. You raised your eyes just in time to see her move quickly towards you and embrace you tightly, the all too familiar smell of her and their home encasing you entirely. You bit your lip hard to stop the tears from falling, already succumbing to your overwhelming emotions as hard as you tried to deny them. Each Weasley took the time to give you a warm hug, even Arthur who had cradled you in his arms surprisingly tight.

When the last hug didn't come, you looked up with tear stricken eyes towards the body that had made no effort to walk towards you, George. He looked just as haunted as you, tired and frail as he looked upon you with sad eyes, tears silently falling down his face. You stared at each other for a moment, unsure of how to proceed until your lip quivered and a small sob escaped you. George rushed forward and pulled you straight into his chest, neither of you caring about the tears and sobs that fell from you both, too fixed upon each other to give a single care about the onlookers.

"I'm so sorry," you both said at exactly the same time, earning a little chuckle from you both at the ridiculousness of it all.

You and George never left each others side the entire time, clutching hold of each other's hand as you navigated the painful memories and eulogies, each giving a squeeze intermittently to let the other know that you were still there.

Mcgonagall had called you away some time before the official memorial had began, walking with you towards the office she now held that was once Dumbledore's. George had reluctantly dropped your hand with a quiet, frantic whisper that you'd better be back soon.

"It's good to see you y/n," she says, gesturing for you to step towards the desk. You'd always felt a kinship with you previous head of house, both of you having a flair for transfiguration and underneath the sometimes harsh exterior, she had a wicked sense of humour.

"You too professor," you replied, trying to force an honest smile onto your face, not having used those muscles in months.

"Oh professor," she laughs, "call me Minerva," you says, scandalised at the notion of you calling her professor. You smiled warmly, this time not having to force the smile, feeling surprisingly comforted by her.

"You know, I always knew you and Mr Weasley would become an item, right from the day he turned your water goblet into a rock," she smiled, taking her seat as she gazed up at you fondly, "I am so sorry for your loss."

You chuckled at the memory, for once not feeling complete anguish at the thoughts of you and Fred. It was your first transfiguration class and you'd been tasked with turning your pets into water goblets as every first year is expected to do. You'd succeeded first try and Fred had then turned said water goblet into a small rock before your very eyes. To his surprise you had barked out a laugh instead of cursing him out for the ridiculous prank and you'd been firm friends with both the twins ever since. Only in your third year did you begin to catch real feelings for him and by your fourth year you were completely smitten. Before fifth year began, just before the Weasley's trip to Egypt, you were officially dating, finally saying I love you and the rest was history, never parting from each other once you'd found your person. You'd attended the yule ball together, been hand in hand for every task, even as the twins gambled their way through the games. You'd spent hours upon hours inventing, perfecting and packaging their inventions with them and had been been included every step of the way in designing and opening the store. You smiled in pure nostalgia as Mcgonagall's comment triggers a pool of memories for you.

"I've never told anyone this, except for Albus, but when I was a young woman, I lost the love of my life too," she says, bringing you back to the present. You look at her with a sympathetic look though with wide eyes, shocked by her revelation. "He didn't die so it's not exactly the same but he might as well have." Her eyes begin to cloud over as you can see painful memories coming to the forefront of her mind.

"I was a much younger woman then, having graduated from Hogwarts and securing a position in the ministry, the department of magical law enforcement. Before I left for London, I returned home and met a local farm boy, a muggle. Fred Weasley reminded me a great deal of him, perhaps that's why his passing has been so hard for me aswell. He was handsome, clever and so terribly quick witted he even gave me a run my money".

You huffed out a little laugh, knowing how fierce and funny she could be underneath the professional exterior. She sent you a warm smile as you listened intently to her story.

"He proposed not long after our whirlwind summer, right in the middle of a ploughed field owned by his father. I didn't hesitate for a second and said yes straight away, blindsided by love. After I'd accepted, I realised that the future I would be creating for myself would cut me off from the Wizarding world completely, just as my mother had when she married my father. I realised I couldn't live a life the only place I felt like I belonged, having to lock my wand away for ever, unhappily drifting through a life in which I'd rejected the gift I'd been given. Three days later I left for London alone though I never stopped loving Dougal."

"What happened to him?" You asked quietly, not wanting to upset her. She sighed in return, looking down at the desk.

"My mother informed me years later that he married the daughter of another farm owner in Caithness, I never heard anything else after that."

"I'm so sorry Minerva," you said honestly, feeling a tightness in your chest at hearing her story. Truthfully it had been your own form of distraction from your own pain and you were immensely thankful for that.

She sent you a sad smile, nodding her head gently as she looked up at you.

"You're probably wondering why I told you all of this," she says with a smile. Before you can protest, she raises her hand warmly like a mother would and smiled, "I have two points to sharing this personal story with you. The first, is that time truly does heal wounds. You may feel as if you will never be rid of this pain, not knowing how to go on or feeling as if you don't want to, and that my dear is perfectly understandable but every month will get easier, every year you will begin to feel less pain and more pleasant nostalgia until you find a version of yourself that had bloomed from the pain."

Your eyes had filled with tears again at her kind words. Something in her tone made you truly believe that this was true and that you did have a chance of healing eventually, but nothing was comforting enough to immediately relieve the pain, nor set your mind at ease.

"The second, is a gift of sorts," she says, reaching into the top drawer of her desk which she unlocks with a wave of her wand. You frowned gently, not knowing how to respond as she pulls out a little wooden box. She casts another spell and the box opens with an intricate unravelling of the wooden box.

Your breath catches in your throat at you recognise the contents immediately; the time turner that Hermione had been given by Dumbledore all those years ago.

"I'm sure you remember this, as I believe yourself and miss Granger made excellent use of this in your third and fifth respective years." You could do nothing but nod, overwhelmed at the sudden implication of the possibilities of the gift.

"As you know, nothing can be altered by reversing the time, everything will always happened exactly as it always had. I know how tempting it could be to try and fix the projection of our lives, but consider this a gentle warning as to why it is not practical to do so," she says, handing you the time turner. You feel the cold, heavy weight of the time piece in your palm as you inspect it, remembering every detail.

"I always wish I'd gotten more time with Dougal, even just to relive a singular moment or to see him one last time but I was never brave enough, never wanting to jeopardise how far I'd come in my healing. But for you, the gift of time could be invaluable."

You began to cry silently, tears unable to be held back any longer at her kind gesture.

"Thank you, so much," you said through the tears, struggling to hold back your sobs. She immediately stood and moved to wrap her arms around your shoulders, her cape falling over you as if she was protecting you entirely.

"You always were one of my very favourite students," she says, rubbing your shoulder. "Despite the trouble, the mischief was usually rather funny," she admitted. Both of you laughed for a moment at her words, your free hand coming up to wipe at your eyes.

"If I were you, I'd chose a memory that you weren't originally around for, you'll get more time with him. Unless you want to watch from afar," she says, straightening herself out, though keeping a firm hand on your shoulder.

You wracked your brain for a time that you weren't around Fred, finding it hard to think of any specifics. Showing up randomly at the burrow would only pose deep, unanswerable questions that you couldn't explain, everything had to fit to the exact projection of exactly what had happened.

A vague memory of Harry popped into your mind, a tale he'd told about the twins that had been endearing to say the least. You remembered him telling you about seeing Fred and George comforting a young boy in the courtyard that had been victim to Umbridge's unorthodox punishments whilst you were in detention with Snape. Perfect. There was no chance of you accidentally showing up, knowing that you'd gone straight to the common room after that particular detention and it wouldn't interrupt the greater timeline.

You closed your eyes and estimated how many turns you'd need, settling on a little over three full turns, praying it would be enough as you fixated on a certain point.

Immediately your sense of space and time began to shift as you broke through whatever dimension you were entering as the time turner rumbled in your hand.

You were immediately met by the sight of Snape's classroom door which was thankfully sealed shut. You ran immediately out to the courtyard, desperation and adrenaline coursing through your body as you fought to get to your destination quickly, not knowing how much time you'd have.

Your knees nearly buckled upon hearing hushed whispers around the corner from you, tucked away in one of the corridors.

"It's not as bad as it seems, see, it's fading already."

"You can hardly see ours anymore and the pain stops eventually,"

"Yeah."

You walk around the corner and your lip instantly quivers at seeing him. You had to act strong, be strong for him so he wouldn't worry, knowing you couldn’t change the trajectory of time but it was so hard.

He was crouched on the floor beside the stone bench where the young boy sat sobbing with George sat next to him trying to comfort the sad boy, showing him his own scars on the back of his hand.

Fred's hair was a little longer than it had been when he died, something that you had always loved on him, secretly preferring when his hair looked a little overgrown and shaggy. He wore a blue striped polo shirt with a mustard yellow long sleeve shirt underneath and his dark trousers, all of which complemented him so well. In the time between the current events and his death, you'd rarely seen him wear anything other than a fancy suit when he worked at the shop or a simple pair of sweatpants when he got home, usually exhausted. It was so refreshing to see him look so perfectly Fred, reminding you of the boy you'd fallen hopelessly in love with all those years ago.

George also looked great, wearing a matching outfit with contrasting colours that complimented him just as well. He looked well and happy and you had to hold back another quiver of your lip at seeing the boy you loved like your own brother be so different to how you knew him now.

Fred noticed you almost immediately as you walked around the corner, stood silently observing him beside the stone pillar and the wickedly playful grin spread all over his face upon seeing you. He sprang up from his crouched position and raised his eyebrows at you in surprise.

You immediately flung yourself into his arms and he caught you seamlessly with a little 'oof' at the sudden impact. Your eyes filled with the tears you were trying so hard to stop as the familiarity and comfort of being in his arms surrounded you. Nothing felt like this. You fit so perfectly into his arms that he had once mentioned that your body must have been moulded from his own, your head resting perfectly on his chest, directly over his beating heart. His scent surrounded you like a delicious fog, the familiar scents of sweet marshmallow and dark notes of whiz bang smoke clung to your nostrils as you took deep breaths in trying to fill your body with his scent so that you'd always remember.

You felt like you could finally breathe again, finally home where you belonged.

His arms had locked around your shoulders, keeping you firmly against his body, no doubt sensing your need for him in that moment. His hand played with the strands of your hair as he bent down to kiss the top of your head.

"Sweetheart, what's wrong?" He asks quietly, only loud enough for you to hear, considering you still had an audience. Hearing him address you, calling you sweetheart had your world shattering and you could no longer stop the tears from falling down your face.

"F-Fred?" You said with a shaky breath, trying desperately to hold back the sobs that built up within your body.

"I'm here, I'm right here," he said soothingly, rocking you both back and forth gently as he pressed another kiss to your head.

"What's happened? Did Snape do something? Umbridge?" He says, pulling you back slightly so that he can look you in the eye, his worry clearly evident on his face, the protective side of him coming out as he considered that someone had hurt you.

You shook your head quickly, knowing you couldn't say anything that would work as an excuse.

"No, I just, I just needed to see you," you said honestly, the innocence and the weight of your words tugging at your heart, knowing he would never know how much you meant it.

His brown pulled together quickly in a slight frown before it disappeared off his face as he reached up to brush a strand of hair behind your ear.

You tried to push away all the intrusive thoughts that plagued your mind, things that only propelled you to feeling sadder, things you wanted to tell him and all the things you missed about him but you couldn't.

"I love you Freddie," you said, looking directly into his eyes, watching as they sparkled and an honest smile pulled at his lips.

"Not as much as I love you sweetheart," he replied, pulling you in for another hug, though this one was more playful as he squeezed you, making a laugh erupt from your mouth.

You suddenly pulled away and looked towards George who looked on in equal parts confusion and worry. The young boy had gone, no doubt feeling awkward about the whole interaction, leaving you with just the twins.

You broke away from Fred and moved towards George who stood instinctively as you approached him. You threw your arms around his neck and he fumbled awkwardly for a moment before moving his hands to wrap around you, holding you to him.

"I love you Georgie," you said. He chuckled against you.

"What the bloody hell happened in that potions room?" He jokes but suddenly squeezes you tighter and replies that he loves you too.

"Trying to steal my woman brother?" Fred says from beside us, his tone just as joking and playful as you'll always remember it to be.

"Maybe, I am the better looking one after all," George jokes as you slip out of his hold.

"My future wife disagrees, don't you sweetheart," Fred says, pulling you back over to his side.

You felt your heart shatter at his words and you tried desperately to act neutral under the circumstances, knowing that he had referred to you that way since fifth year. It had always filled you with pride and giddiness each and every time he would call you his future wife, the butterflies in your tummy fluttering wildly at his determination to marry you.

Somehow you found your strength and like magic you slipped into the moment, casting all thoughts aside as you spent your time wisely.

"Sorry George," you smirked, turning back to face Fred to really look at him, knowing that your time would soon be up.

"You think I'll make a good wife?" You ask Fred, who beams down at you with a smile as he slips his arm around you again.

"The best, only one I'll ever need," he smirks, his hand wandering on your waist to reach down and pat your bum.

"I'd do anything to marry you," you said, your voice breaking slightly towards the end as your emotions overcame you once again at the deeper, more painful meaning of your words.

"I have to go," you said to Fred, knowing that you couldn't linger around much longer. "Don't mention this again please, I don't want Snape to know I snuck out of detention," you lied. He nodded in understanding and you moved forward to give him a kiss, pouring your heart and soul into it as you clutched onto to the collar of his polo shirt, his arms wrapped tightly around your waist.

"I think you should get detention with Snape more often," he says, still holding you tightly to him. You laugh and nod enthusiastically as you spend your last moments really looking at him, trying to commit every inch of his skin to memory.

The little scar above his eyebrow, the mark on his nose, the curve and little bump on the bridge of his nose, the way his hair shaped his face perfectly.

His greeny brown eyes, always glittering with mischief, that's what you'd always remember of him.

"Bye Freddie, I love you" you said, barely able to contain your tears as you walked quickly away, hiding around the corner as you started to sob. You flicked the time turner back just the right amount and tolu felt yourself once again being pulled in every direction until you landed back in McGonagall’s office.

She’s still sat at the desk, signing some papers when you return and she offers you a kind smile, seeing your tear stained cheeks.

“Thank you,” you said, owing her all the gratitude in the world for gifting you the opportunity to see your beloved once again as you placed the time turner delicately back in the box on the table. She nodded warmly and smiled again.

“It’ll be here for you whenever you need it,”

She says, placing it back into the drawer desk, “now, shall we begin the ceremony?” She stands and gestures for you to join her and you do, already feeling stronger by the minute, like your brief visit with Fred had recharged you and given you enough strength to continue.

George slipped his hand into yours the second you were reunited, both of you sitting together as Mcgonagall lead the remembrance ceremony. It was hard to hear Fred’s name and the memories of him shared around the room, but you’d found a strength you didn’t know you had. You cried, you laughed and you celebrated him in every way you could, in the way that he had always deserved.

Epilogue

As the years drew on, you’d visited McGonagall’s office numerous times to visit Fred as it were, only doing so when you felt you desperately needed to, which happened to be less and less over the years as you found your strength. Sometimes you watched from afar as you both interacted, seeing the love between you and sometimes you intercepted memories so that you could interact with him, smell him and feel his skin against yours.

You never dated, feeling no pull or desire for another man in your life, never able to commit to anyone else, knowing that they would always come second to your true love. George had become something to you which you could never explain, a love of sorts which teetered between friendship and more, though it was hard to cross that line, knowing that anything you did would be irreversible. Years passed with you both stuck in limbo, until one day the line was crossed and you found no guilt or pain on the other side of the line but instead found comfort and love. You’d moved in together to a little cabin in the woods, the dream that you’d once had with Fred that George fulfilled for you and one sadness filled night had changed everything when you both sought comfort in each other, needing to feel like you weren’t alone anymore.

It was a natural progression to love George, and you both found that the only way of moving past your pain was to accept that Fred would always be the other half to both of you, with the rest completely dedicated to each other. You both knew you were the only ones that would be able to have this together, that somehow the gap left by Fred would remain but it would be comfortable, like an additional blessing to your relationship. No deciding between the two, no competition and no guilt at loving both.

You married a year after moving in together and you were happy, finally a Weasley just like you’d always wanted. You’d expected to be conflicted and initially you had been, but you and George were perfect for each other and you started a new life together, always keeping Fred in your hearts but finally putting yourselves and your relationship first.

When your first son arrived not a year after your wedding, you’d both cried tears of utter joy when he was born with fiery red hair and little freckles, a complete clone of both his daddy and his uncle Fred.

You didn’t name him after Fred, nor Gred or Forge as George had somewhat jokingly suggested throughout your pregnancy, but instead chose to give him his own name, letting him forge own legacy in this calm world, one where he would always know about his uncle Freddie and how he died a hero.

#emeritusemeritus #harry potter #fred weasley #fred weasley x you #emeritusemerituswrites #fred weasley x reader #fred weasley imagine #fred weasley masterlist #george weasley x you #george weasley #George Weasley x reader #angst #Fred Weasley angst #weasley twins x you #george weasley imagines #weasley twins masterlist

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bibbityboppitybillyharvgrove · 11 months

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Always There - Chapter Two: S.Snape

Summary: Y/N Potter was left with a baby to care for after her brother and sister-in-law were murdered by Voldemort. One person was there for her, a person she didn’t expect but soon became her comfort person, Severus Snape. During Harry’s third year at Hogwarts and her third year as Herbology professor, a few old friends come around again. Y/N has to handle the feelings of these old friends being around again as well as handle her feelings for a certain potions master all while she tries to hide these things from her godson.

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Pairings: Severus Snape x Female Professor Reader, Potter!Reader x friend!Remus

Chapter Warnings: Female Reader, Potter Reader(No physical description of reader) probably shitty writing, Harry growing up in a loving home, mentions of death and murder, mentions of Azkaban, shittyly written angst, flashbacks,

Series Warnings: Female Reader, Potter Reader (No physical description of reader) probably shitty writing, OOC Snape, Harry grows up in a loving environment, mentions of death and murder, poorly written angst, Remus is a shitty friend, poorly written pining,

Please let me know how I can improve my writing and being more inclusive to POC as I am whiter than white. Please also let me know if I have to add more to the warnings! My messages are open as well as my asks!

I am starting a taglist so leave either a comment or something in my asks if you would like to be tagged in any of my works or just this series!

Author's Note: Please let me know how I can improve or if you find any errors! Correct me, don't be afraid to! I want to improve my writing and become a better writer so any feedback or advise is welcomed!

Word Count: 1994

My asks are open for questions, suggestions and feedback!

Feedback is welcomed and encouraged!

Enjoy!

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About a week after the two professors had fallen asleep whilst talking, everything was kind of normal. Y/N was actively avoiding Remus and Severus has been particularly rude to the new professor. Harry had finally taken to questioning his aunt about her strange behavior and Snape’s aggressive nature toward Remus. He had waited until after dinner, following her into the greenhouse.

“Aunt Y/N, Professor Lupin said he knew my parents. Did you know him too?” Harry asked, trying to mask his intentions.

“You just want to know why I avoid him, don’t you?” She sighed, looking her nephew in the eye.

“I can’t hide anything from you, can I?”

“You certainly cannot, my love. I know you too so I know you won’t leave me alone until I tell you or you pester Sev enough to tell you. Come sit with me, this is gonna be a longer talk than I want it to be but you deserve to know everything about the situation,” She explained. The two Potters entered her office and sat on the very same couch Minerva had spotted Y/N and Severus the week earlier. “We can start off with how I first met Remus. We met on platform 9 ¾ right before the train came, James was off with some of his friends…”

The platform was bustling with witches and wizards alike, the anticipation waiting for the Hogwarts Express was palpable. James was off chatting with Sirius and Y/N was sitting on the ground with her nose stuck in her herbology book. Her mind was racing because she was nervous about what house she would be put in, she was wondering who her professors were, if they were nice and so on. James promised her that all of the professors were nice, Dumbledore, McGonagall and Slughorn were some he mentioned by name. Although James had tried reassuring her, it didn’t do much to help ease her nerves.

“You’re James’ sister, right?” A voice came from her right, startling her slightly, “Sorry to frighten you, he has a picture of the two of you in our dorm so I thought I’d say hi. My name is Remus.”

“Like Remus and Romulus? That’s pretty cool. I’m Y/N, it’s nice to meet you,” She said. The two had begun chatting, talking about where they lived, what their families were like, Remus asked her what subject she was most excited to learn about and of course the young witch had said Herbology.

Once the train had arrived, Remus and Y/N boarded together, talking all the while as they tried to find a compartment to sit in. The only empty one was in the back of the train so the two sat and talked the whole ride to Hogwarts, The conversation only pausing when the sweets trolley rolled by and when James and Sirius had popped in to say hello.

Their friendship only grew from there, Remus helping her study for DADA and History Of Magic and Y/N helping him study for Charms and Herbology. Once Remus had joined James, Sirius and Peter, the five wizards got up to lots of trouble. Although Y/N was a year younger than the other four, she was more than willing to help out with pranks. Her and Remus, however, were the only two that strayed away from bullying other students, especially Severus Snape.

“That was how Remus and I became friends, he was the fastest friend I had ever made. We talked for only like a minute and became friends right away. We got closer and closer as the years went on. I'll spare some details about our friendship because we got into some trouble or we would just hang out in the library reading or studying. Everything got rough once James and Lily were killed.”

Remus showed up to the destroyed house in Godric’s Hollow, Y/N outside of the fence with a crying Harry in her arms, Severus standing beside her, his cloak over her shoulders to keep her warm in the cold autumn air.

“Y/N, is it true? He killed them?” Remus asked her.

“J-Jamie and Lils are dead, h-he tried t-to kill Harry but he s-survived somehow,” She stuttered out behind her tears. Severus excused himself so the two friends could talk things out.

“Peter is dead, Sirius was the one who sold them out, he murdered Peter and a dozen muggles,” He explained, “Listen, dove, I need to go, I’ll send you an owl okay?” She just nodded and watched him apparate away.

She was left for a while to cry, until Severus showed up and escorted her elsewhere, somewhere she could be safe and warm with baby Harry. Somewhere she could escape the reality that faced her, she was alone with a child she didn’t know how to care for, a child that would be legend. A boy who lived, the only known survivor of the killing curse and the defeater of Lord Voldemort.

“I know you like professor Lupin and I understand that, he's a great guy. He just left me at a time where I really needed him. We got into an argument last week and I’ve been avoiding him since,” Y/N explained, “I don’t want any of this to change the way you look at Lupin, he’s an incredibly smart man and an extremely talented wizard.”

Harry decided to let things go until winter came around. He had once again been attacked by a dementor, luckily Dumbledore stopped his fall before he hit the ground of the Quidditch pitch. Harry went to Remus for help but he was too weak at the time, after the break he was promised a lesson about patronuses, a way to keep himself safe from dementors.

Harry had the wonderful idea to sneak around Hogsmeade with the invisibility cloak (even though he had permission to go), finding out from Minerva, after sneaking in behind her and the minister of magic, that Sirius Black was his godfather. Herminone and Ron helped Harry back to Hogwarts, where he sought out his aunt.This of course, was against the advice of Hermione who told him to just sleep it off and talk to her in the morning. He knew she was in the greenhouses, either tending to the plants or grading student papers. What he didn’t expect to find was her and the potions master laughing over tea. He stared at the pair, tears threatening to leave his eyes, the sense of betrayal weighed heavy on him.

“You knew,” He uttered. The two professors stopped laughing and turned to Harry, not expecting him to be in her office.

“What happened, my love? Why are you so upset?” Y/N asked, her voice laced with concern for her nephew.

“You knew,” He repeated.

“What are you talking about Harry? What did I know?” She was confused, she had never seen her nephew so distraught over something before, she wanted nothing but to help him with whatever he was dealing with.

“You knew that Sirius Black killed my parents! You knew that Sirius Black ratted them out to Voldemort! You knew Sirius Black! You know he’s my godfather! He was your friend!” Harry finally shouted at his aunt.

“There is no need to shout, Harry, come sit, let’s talk this out,” Y/N said calmly although deep down she too, was distraught. She had never wanted Harry to know about Sirius’ role in his life but somehow, he had found out.

“No, I want you to tell me right here! I don’t want to sit and talk!”

“That is no way to speak to your aunt, Harry,” Snape chimed in, upset with how the boy was screaming at his aunt, the woman who cared for him and loved him his whole life.

“You shut up, this has nothing to do with you!”

“Harry! Apologize to him right now!” Y/N scolded, the tension in the room was rising, she knew at any moment that Harry would snap and in turn so would Severus.

“NO! He has no right to be a part of this conversation! It’s between me and you!” Severus was about to go at the boy but once Y/N had laid her hand on his shoulder, he stopped short. The pair made eye contact, Severus knowing she wanted to handle this by herself so he excused himself to her office to get the potion ingredients he originally came to her for.

“I knew about Sirius being your godfather, yed. Of course I did, I’m your godmother, the two of us did everything for you until Sirius turned on us. He was your father’s best friend,” Y/N told her nephew.

“Why didn’t you tell me?” Harry demanded the answer.

“I didn’t want you to know, you’ve dealt with enough in your life, I didn’t want to add another thing on top of it.”

“So you knew he sold out my parents to Voldemort?”

“Yes, I knew. Trust me Harry, I didn’t like it just as you don’t. I feel just as betrayed if not more because he was like a brother to us,” Y/N tried to explain, somehow keeping herself calm throughout the conversation even though she kept seeing the picture of her brother dead on the floor in her mind.

“You feel betrayed! You’ve lied to me my whole life! You never told me anything! Nothing about Professor Lupin, nothing about Sirius Black, nothing about Peter Pettigrew! Why?” Harry went back to shouting at his aunt, a glass next to her shattering to pieces.

“Because it hurts me Harry! It hurts to even think about it, let alone talk about it! Remus and Sirius were my brothers and they betrayed me! Peter at least died instead of betraying us, instead of leaving me! It pains me to talk about your father but I do it anyway, for you! Everything I do is for you Harry, don’t you realize that! You are the most important thing in my life! You expect me to just turn around and hurt you the way I got hurt once I learned about all of this!” She shouted back, the glass from some of her cabinets shattered as she shouted at the boy.

“If I’m the most important thing in your life, why lie? Why hide this from me!” Harry was now just looking for a fight, he was getting information out of his aunt by upsetting her so he continued to do it.

“Because I love you! Because I care about you! You are my boy! You are like the son I never got to have! You are exactly like your father! Your father that I miss every single day because he was my best friend! You are the only family I have Harry James Potter! You are the only family I will ever have!” She had begun crying, wiping her tears as they came to try and appear like she was not crying even though Harry knew she was.

“You’re not my mother! You will never be my mother!” Harry screamed at her, this caused the woman to burst into tears, Severus had come back into the room once he had heard her crying.

“That’s enough Harry, go back to your dormitory,” Severus said sternly.

“No!”

“Stop acting like a defiant child and do as I say. You’ve done enough, you wanted your answers, you got them. Now go!” The potion’s master was furious at the boy, he had never seen Harry act this way before, in all the years of knowing him, this had never happened. Harry had stormed out of the greenhouse leaving the two professors once again. The day had started off cheerful and happy and ended with Y/N in despair and spiraling due to not only her nephew but remembering what she had seen and the trials and tribulations she had gone through.

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turvi · 2 months

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Promises-3

Series Masterlist

They soon arrived at Hogwarts and Severus introduced her to Professor McGonagall. The professor offered tea and biscuits to her. As Y/n was taking a sip of her tea Minerva interrupted "So Severus is a fine man don't you think?"

Y/n choked on her tea this woman met her seconds ago and now she wants to know whether she thinks Severus is a fine man or not?

"He is a nice man" Y/n awkwardly coughed out the words.

Minerva smirked "Not a lot of people share that same thought here Y/n"

"Well honestly I don't know much about him other than the fact he is saving my life"

Minerva hummed at Y/n's admission. "Severus mentioned to me you were having trouble sleeping?"

"Yes that was until last night, I used to have nightmares"

Minerva scooched her chair closer to Y/n "what were they about?"

"They were all different yet somehow connected to the dark lord. Sometimes he will be there sometimes just a mention of his name. I always hear him calling me by my full name like he always used to."

"Do you remember any spell he used on you? Maybe something you are familiar with?"

"I honestly don't remember much. Most of my time with him I can't remember, just a few events. I always felt fatigued like I have been sleeping for a long time."

McGonagall sighed as she finally connected the dots. "You stay right here dear I have to go and talk to the headmaster. Eat the biscuits" She offered a warm smile to Y/n which she responded with a warm smile of her own.

---------------------------------------

Severus told only a limited version of what Y/n was actually doing here. Of course, he trusted her to take Y/n under her wing if things get too tense, he might as well drop her off right now. He could have his humble abode all to himself but Y/n didn't complete the story of her childhood about how she stole the neighbor's dog because they were not treating him well. Severus doesn't know this woman well, but he knows one thing. This woman can't tell a story to save her life because as she was telling how she befriended Fluffy she goes off at a tangent telling what a terrible cook her father is.

Right now Severus knows almost everything about her other than how the heck did she save Fluffy. Normally Severus wouldn't care about Fluffy but the anticipation would make him insane if he doesn't get to know the ending. Yes, this is the only reason why Severus has not dropped her at Minerva's home.

Minerva offered Y/n to stay in her office because she soon realized she need to talk to Severus. The older lady soon realized that Y/n might be in more danger than ever since the dark lord had recently possessed Ginny. Severus was in his classroom teaching the 4th years when she burst into the classroom and told him that they need to discuss important "school matters".

"What is the meaning of this Minerva" Severus whispered as soon as they were outside his class.

"Severus there is no other way of saying this but he will try everything to get to her, she doesn't realize it but he is already looking for her"

"How- what do you mean?"

"She told me about her nightmares, she thinks it's just nightmares but he is somehow still connected to her but for some reason, he cannot connect to her fully"

"How do we stop that?" He asked quickly

"I don't know but we need to talk to Dumbledore quickly. Meet me in Dumbledore's office after your class is over."

---------------------------

"Ah, Professor McGonagall and Professor Snape to what do I owe the pleasure of your company?" Dumbledore asked already offering his favorite sherbet lemon.

"It's about Y/n" Minerva offered the answer solemnly.

"Oh" "What is it about"

"Y/n mentioned to me about having nightmares about the dark lord. She mentioned how she doesn't remember most of the things that happened there and she felt fatigued most of the time."

"She fainted in the kitchen too. Twice" Severus revealed, he remembered the day vividly. She was just standing there silently mixing some ingredients in her mortar and pestle. When all of a sudden she collapsed luckily he was close so he got hold of her before she hit the floor. That was when he noticed bruises on her chest and arms.

Severus thinks she looks way healthier than before. Did she even eat?

"I will try to find out how is he planning to get her. If he is trying to get her in control then he is closer than before"

Dumbledore agreed "You do that Severus because if he does get her in control then not only will she be in danger, we all will be."

"But why does he want her?" Minerva asked

"He used her powers to protect himself maybe he is trying to do that again."

Severus frowned at this new information. "How did you know?"

"She told me that night at the dinner"

The headmaster provided the information so nonchalantly that Severus couldn't help but roll his eyes. He beelined towards the door when Dumbledore interrupted again.

"Where are you going?"

"It's getting late if she stays outside any longer the dark lord will have a better chance of getting hold of her."

Minerva cooed at his statement and the headmaster smiled like a Cheshire cat. Severus didn't bother with them and went off to do his duty.

A/N: I hope you like this. If you don't. It is what it is. REBLOG AND FEEDBACKS PLEASE IF YOU LIKED THIS

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darkenedreaper · 1 year

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The Pain of Patronus [3]

Pairing: Professor Severus Snape x Female!Professor Reader

Warnings: Mentions of deaths, bloody description

Summary: After finding Snape after Nagini's attack, you go to great extents to get him help. When he recovers, you've changed. And to find more information Dumbledore makes a decision, one you're unhappy with.

A/N: I changed the story plot because Deathly Hallows traumatised me. Enjoy.

Part 1 Part 2

"Where is she?", the voice of the love of your life finally spoke. You didn't have much time to treasure his voice as Albus spoke, "You'll see her soon Severus".

You stood outside the hospital wing that occupied the few people. You knew what Albus was about to do. He was about to show Snape and the others your happiest and worst memories in order to find any missing information. You hated the idea, and you didn't hide your opinion from Dumbledore when he discussed it with you. He tried to soothe you with his reasoning and his fatherly figure, but he knew you'd stand your ground. You watched with shaky and fast breath from around the corner as Dumbledore was now holding an object that had the appearance of a crystal ball. Harry, Hagrid, McGonagall and even Snapes eyes glistened and glittered as Albus whispered a spell, slowly levitating the crystal ball that held you worst moments. It lifted itself up into the air and popped like a giant bubble, it was like the movie began. Minerva had told Severus what he'd be seeing and hearing, the attack on him committed by Nagini. He tried to shake it off, tried to shake off the nerves and the tears that were building up inside of him as he realised he's been forced to sit and watch your most painful moments. You watched the ball with a careful eye and when it burst you shut your eyes tight.

-memories-

You and the young boy were sat by water, making daffodil chains... well daffodil chains with old, dead, and withered daffodil heads and stems. You spoke quietly to the young boy, "You'll stay with me forever won't you?", "Always", Severus replied with a smalls smile on his face. As soon as you made the chains you decided to fly them over to one another. From afar another young girls eyes with ginger hair saw the face that belonged to the boy with the black hair and eyes. She decided to skip over to the Severus and... and the girl next to him. Whilst you and Severus were still messing with the ones you had both made, your attention and his was yanked away when the girl shouted his name whilst skipping up the hill to him. You watched the interaction between Lily and Severus; he handed her an old and dead daffodil chain he took back from you, and she gave him a bright and colourful daisy chain, she even put it around his wrist.

----

It was a few months later now and somehow Severus and Lily had grown even closer, and so had Lily and James. It was wrong and you knew it was. She was either leading one or both of them on or playing a cruel game with Severus just so James would bully him even more. You were sat opposite Severus and Lily, well you were sat next to him but she asked if she could have your seat. You couldn't say no to her she was too polite, and he was infatuated with her. So you sat opposite the wo students with your head resting on a closed fist as you mindlessly flicked through a book 'revising'. It wasn't long before you were left in the library by yourself as Lily had offered Severus to view the stars outside, to which he accepted her offer, didn't give you a second thought, and left. The memory showed you, a teenager, sat on the library table now after hours with an open book and staring off into space.

----

It was drawing to the end of the year, you and Severus hadn't spoken for weeks. You assumed he learnt his lesson with Lily as her and James walked Hogwarts grounds holding hands. You had gotten so lonely and withdrawn from your classes, eating, even reality; that Mr Filch and even Mrs Norris began to feel pity for you. As everyone was leaving Hogwarts for the final time as a student you wished to see Severus, and you did. Just the back of him. As he walked further and further away from you until you couldn't see him anymore.

----

You'd been working at Hogwarts for a few years now and Dumbledore had ordered you to become a Deatheater, for his own benefit. You soon discovered that Voldemort was going after Lily and James Potter, and you knew you had to do something. If Lily died it would kill Severus, even if they didn't talk for all of this time. So you were standing with Albus in your younger years of teaching begging him but not before he asked, "Why do you need the protection of Lily Potter so badly?", you ignored him and said, "Albus please, I beg you, hide them. Hide them all. Keep them safe I beg of you", to which he replied; "And what will you give to me in return Y/n?". "Anything", you quickly replied. You agreed to spend your life serving Albus and Hogwarts whilst being tied to Voldemort as a Deatheater. Snape and yourself had no idea you practically had the same double-sided job. Even at the Dark Lords meetings, you never once spoke, took your mask off. You never even moved. You found out the boys parents had been killed and that Severus found out and wept at the news, and of course at the sight he walked into at Godrics Hollow; you forced Dumbledore to tell you. "You promised me you would keep her safe!" "You came to the wrong person to give protection Y/n, I'm sorry". Of course during that difficult time period, you and Snape somehow grew further apart got more miserable and moody, and more vicious with the comments at one another.

----

Things at Hogwarts were getting tense, Potter was having more trouble with his sleeping, his visions and head pains of Voldemort, Hogwarts was being attacked by Demontors for what seemed like every 5 minutes.

----

You speedily walked to corner and question Albus. You had just finished a spell on Dumbledores hand that would keep the physical sight and damage of the spell hidden, but not for long. "How long do you think it will hold off?", he asked. "Not long, a year a least". You said with finality before dropping his hand and moving to walk away, "Don't ignore me Y/n". You halted, waiting to see what he wanted to say. "We both know Lord Voldemort has ordered Severus to murder me. But should he fail... I should presume the Dark Lord will turn to you. You must be the one to kill me Y/n". The memories showed your view of Dumbledore falling to his death. You slowly hung your head and shut your eyes, you didn't show or express any emotion hut inside you were crumbling, you were shutting down, the thought of killing Albus with everything else going on; it seemed impossible. "It is the only way. Only then will the Dark Lord trust you completely". You sighed and opened your eyes again letting him continue. "There will come a time when Harry Potter must be told something, but you must wait until Lord Voldemort is at his most vulnerable". You lifted your head up when you heard the boys name and because of the history you were immediately concerned for his safety and so you replied, "Must be told what?" Albus took a deep breath and started to move closer to you, "On the night Lord Voldemort went to Godrics Hollow to kill Harry, and Lily Potter cast herself between them... the curse re-bounded. When that happened, a part of Voldemort's soul latched itself onto the only living thing it could find... Harry himself"> Dumbledore stalked his way closer to you, "There's a reason Harry can speak with snakes, there's a reason he can look into Lord Voldemorts mind. A part of Voldemort lives inside him". You had braced yourself now and straightened yourself up, "So when the time comes, the boy must die?" You questioned with severity, "Yes. Yes. He must die", Dumbledore replied with his head down.

The memory was now showing Albus, Minerva, Harry, Hagrid and Snape the moment you fell to the nearest wall, where your emotions came crashing down, as Snape lying in the hospital bed, saw himself lying half dead against the Boating House glass with blood spattered all over it. He saw your breakdown as you were rushing over to him and he felt himself welling up.

The memories now took them back to the office where you were clearly displeased, angry and upset at Dumbledore. You were concerned for Harrys safety and Severus' wellbeing, "You've kept him alive so that he can die at the proper moment?... You've been raising him like a pig for slaughter." You voiced, strongly with anger clear. Albus quickly turned his head to you, seemingly shocked as you despised the boy, "Don't tell me now, that you've grown to care for the boy?". Your face dropped and you knew you had to spill your secret. In quick motion you took out your wand and cast a pratronum, "Expecto Patronum...". From your wand, a raven that had beautiful markings glided softly and eloquently throughout Dumbledores office, you both tracked it"

As they were watching the memory, Snape was crying, the tears were rolling down his cheeks and he didn't once bother to wipe them. Harry was upset, Hagrid and Dumbledore had their heads down. Minerva was wiping her nose until she made a noise and pointed at the memory. Your Patronum flew out of the memory and flew around the hospital wing and as it got nearer to the window it flew around Severus' head before flying out. He shut his eyes tight for a second, fully aware that your Patronus was his. He was the thing you love most.

As the raven finished its gliding around the room, Albus turned to you, shocked and he turned to completely face you as everything seemed to click in his head, "Severus". The memory suddenly flashed to you holding Severus' lifeless body with his cloak securely wrapped around him to keep him warm. The blood off the both of you was washed away by the torrential rain and your cries and screams were drowned out by the thunder. Back in the office, you put your head down as the tears began to roll down your cheeks. "After all this time?", he questioned and the pity and guilt was evident in his voice. "Always", you replied strongly.

Severus was silently sobbing, he put his hand over his eyes, not wanting anyone to see him cry. His tears had fell down his neck and wet the bandages that sat around his neck, covering the healing wounds from the snake. His arm brushed the bandages and he was instantly remined of the pain he went through, the pain you went through. He was reminded of how soothed and at ease he felt when you came to his rescue, when you stared into each others eyes, in the Boating House and each time at the dinner hall table. He finally knew the truth, he saw it. You risked your life every day to save Harry Potter because he was Lilys son, and you knew how much Lily meant to Snape. There was guilt, remorse, sadness, love, and anger at himself tingling throughout his still weak body. He knew what he had to do. And he told himself he was going to do it. Even if he had to crawl on his belly to the ends of the earth... he promised himself he would see you, and tell you how much he loved you, how you were his world, his everything.

Part 4 coming soon

#snape x reader #prof snape x reader fluff #professor snape x reader #severus x reader smut #severus x reader #severus snape #severus snape x you #severus snape x reader #harry potter #harry potter fic #snape x reader angst

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asinwhywereyouborn · 18 days

Text

The Hardest Night

Word Count: 3,204

Summary: Minerva McGonagall tries to make it through Sirius Black's birthday

Warnings: mentions of death, kind of angsty?, fluffy, this is the first time I've really written something like this, so the chances are high it's terrible lol. Unedited (I edited it but I'm dyslexic, so like, ya know)

AO3 Link: here-

If Minerva McGonagall knew one thing, it was the sound of a chandelier crashing down.

It was Tuesday, November 3rd, 1998, and she had started the morning on a rough note. Sirius Black’s birthday. Sirius had been a bright boy and a wonderful man, though he often found himself in troubling situations. She mourned him, as she had mourned James and Lily, as she mourned the students who gave their lives in the Battle of Hogwarts. She carried them all, a weight on her shoulders, extra wrinkles on her already-aged face.

As she left her quarters, she prepared to face the day, forcing smiles and correcting students’ behavior. Everything is going to be okay, she thought to herself. She held her books close to her, wishing she could don her feline form and spend her day on the roof, alone with her thoughts, but alas, it was a school day.

She considered, for a moment, canceling classes for the day. After all, her students deserved a rest – they had been working so hard, even with all they had witnessed the previous school year – and she was headmistress now. She could do as she pleased and be met with minimal questioning. However, she feared that if she allowed herself to feel, to stop when the rest of the world continued, she would be allowing Voldemort to win, even in a small way. Not to mention classes were over-filled with seventh and sixth years retaking classes – as ordered by the Ministry – so their grades from the previous school year meant little to nothing.

Some seventh-year students had opted out of the do-over year, having received mediocre or better scores on their N.E.W.T.S. and O.W.L.s, and asked to never return to a place with such bittersweet memories. These were all granted, and it had been decided by the Ministry that, so long as the individual could show that they were qualified, the Hogwarts class of 1998 would be given the benefit of the doubt in their future endeavors.

As such, Minerva had promised herself that she would be a rock for the seventh years that had returned, to all Hogwarts students that had returned. She smiled more now, never missed a Quidditch game, and assisted struggling students, more so than she had in years previous. She pulled herself into a mother hen role, enjoying the love from the students, but still feeling empty herself.

Harry Potter and his friends had chosen to return for their do-over, as they had missed the entirety of their seventh year searching for Voldemort’s horcruxes. It was only two months into the school year, but they had all done incredibly well so far, even Ron, which had surprised everyone, especially Ron.

She noted, as she walked towards the great hall, that today would likely be incredibly difficult for Harry as well, and decided that she would make herself as available to him as possible. He would, of course, have Hermione and the Weasleys (and he had been spending considerably more time with Longbottom and Lovegood), but she wanted to be there, just in case.

This had been a smart decision, she realized, when Harry stopped her just outside the hall.

“Could I talk to you for a moment, Professor?” he asked, his eyes dark and sad.

“Give me a quick moment to grab a scone, then we’ll head up to my office, alright?” she responded, smiling at him warmly.

He nodded, so she walked quickly, in that way that commanded power and authority, and grabbed a raspberry scone from the Hufflepuff table. She quickly made her way back to the doors, motioning for Harry to follow her to her chambers.

Once they were seated, Harry fidgeting with the sleeves of his robes, she asked, “What is it that you wished to speak with me about, Mr. Potter?” She took a bite, looking at him expectantly.

“I-I don’t mean to sound odd,” he says, still looking at his sleeves. “But I was wondering if you could tell me a bit about Sirius.” He glanced up. “It’s his, uh-”

“His birthday, yes,” Minerva finished. “I know.”

“It’s just that everyone who knew him – well, everyone but you – is dead, and I wanted to know a bit about what he was like when he was my age.” Harry was still fidgeting, but his eyes were trained firmly on her face.

Minerva smiled at him. She took a moment to select a tale, then began with a deep breath. “Exactly twenty-three years ago today, Sirius Black turned 15,” she began. She looked to the ceiling, reminiscing. “Him and his roommates, Lupin, Pettigrew, and – of course – your father, woke at the crack of dawn to set off fireworks before the sun came up. They exploded brilliantly, as if the boys had made them themselves (for all I know, they did), and we all took a moment to enjoy their splendor before sending the boys back to bed with mild detention.

“At every meal, they sang “happy birthday” so loudly and with such energy that even the faculty couldn’t help but sing. They were loud, impossible to ignore, and oh-so-loving.

“There was an eclipse that day, and Sirius was so happy that such an important thing could happen on his birthday.”

“What kind of eclipse?” Harry cut in, a faint smile lighting on his lips.

“A solar eclipse, I believe,” Minerva said, happy to see a smile on the boy. “I expect young Mr. Lupin was hardly affected, perhaps becoming more “human” than he had been since he was five years old. Sirius loved this, of course, as Remus was far more important to him than I think either of them was willing to admit.

“Thick as thieves, those two were. A different relationship than Sirius and James. Further than brothers but closer to something I could never quite place.” She waved a hand at the air in front of her. “They traversed the school singing David Bowie all day long, and – I don’t know if you know this – but your father was the only decent singer in their group. And even he was, erm, challenged?” She grimaced, remembering the tone-deaf Gryffindor boys parading around, arms around each other’s shoulders, singing at the tops of their lungs.

Harry laughed, and she did, too, finding it was genuine. “There was also some Beatles, if I recall,” McGonagall continued. “I heard Yellow Submarine enough times that day to last me a lifetime.

“But of course, being as they were, they simply could not get through the day without shenanigans, so, they charmed buckets of water over every door in the castle to fall on people’s heads when they walked into rooms, transfigured Mrs. Norris into a teacup, and decorated the Slytherin common room in red and gold.”

“Wait, Mrs. Norris was alive then?” Harry interrupted, bewildered.

inerva nodded. “I’ve long since stopped questioning the cat, Mr. Potter,” she said, her own eyes wide behind her spectacles. “I think she might be older than me.”

Harry laughed again, the sound ringing through the room. She passed him a tin of Ginger Newts.

“They raided the kitchen, filled their robes with sweets and cake and bread, and ran back to their dormitory as if they were being chased by nargles,” she said as Harry bit into a biscuit. “I specifically recall Pettigrew tripping on apples he was spilling, and the rest of the boys nagging him for nabbing fruit. It was a special occasion, after all.”

A sharp rapping sounded. Both turned toward the door as stone scraped against stone and hurried footsteps raced up the stairs.

“Minerva, come quick!” Sprout shouted, running back down the stairs as soon as her small, turnip-shaped head popped over the top of the rail. “A problem in the main corridor!”

Minerva and Harry stood quickly, biscuits forgotten, and the headmistress took her place ahead of the worried boy. Out of habit, his wand was drawn. She steadied it with a wrinkled hand and a soft smile, speed-walking in front of him towards the main hall that led into the school.

A crash sounded, followed by a scream. Laughter sounded as Minerva and Harry ran towards the doors.

The 700-year-old crystal chandelier was in shatters on the ground, students all well away from the carnage, though one first year stood with his hands in his hair and a bewildered look on his face.

“Repairo,” McGonagall said quickly, waving her wand at the crystal on the stones, and looked up to watch it fix itself.

It came crashing back down, clinking and singing, as any concentration she had on her spell disappeared as she beheld four young boys near the ceiling. Or, rather, their ghosts.

James Potter looked the same as he had in his fifth year, as did Remus Lupin. Both wore their Gryffindor robes, while Sirius Black looked closer to 19 or 20 years old in his leather jacket and combat boots. Fred Weasley was the same he had been that day he flew out of Hogwarts with fireworks shooting from the back of his broom into Umbridge’s face. All four faces were lit with joy and mischief, and the young Black swooped down to the ground.

“Well, Professor, you couldn’t have expected me to do nothing for my birthday,” he said as he glided in front of her, laughing at the shock on her face. She felt unable to move, a myriad of emotions swarming her.

Harry ran in front of her, Ginny and Ron close behind him as they beheld their loved ones.

“Dad!” Harry shouted at the ceiling, whooping with joy as his father plummeted down at him. Lupin quickly followed while Fred decided to cut to the chase and dove straight through his sister’s head. She laughed, tears streaming down her face as she held Ron close. Laughter filled the hall as The Marauders dove and played and sang and filled the place with chaos.

Minerva just stood, frozen, watching as her students played and laughed among the four most chaotic individuals to ever grace Hogwarts’ halls. Waves of emotion crashed into her, over and over and over again. Joy, sadness, confusion, joy again, guilt.

Yes. That was why she had been feeling terrible those past few months. She felt guilty for not being able to save them. It had not been her fault, of course, and she knew that, but she felt that she should have done more. She was their matron, their teacher, their guardian, their protector. She had saved thousands of lives, maybe more, that day in May, but it still wasn’t enough.

But here, now, they were returning. Behind her, the doors burst back open, a flurry of ghosts and spirits barrelling into the gathered crowd of children, led by Nearly Headless Nick. There were shouts and cries out as Lavender Brown and Colin Creevey dove towards Harry and Ron, smiling and waving and shouting their joys. Vincent Crabbe dive-bombed the Slytherins and was met with joyous yelling. Nymphadora Tonks flew around the Hufflepuffs, and each of the fallen soldiers of The Battle of Hogwarts flew into the room, smiling and laughing at being reunited with their friends.

Minerva took her leave, quietly repairing the chandelier. She slid behind the crowd of students out the doors and walked quickly back to her office.

Once the statue was back in place, she collapsed to the floor, violent sobs wracking her body. She held her back to the cold stone wall and her face in her hands as she finally released the tears that had been building for months. Images passed across her closed lids. Colin Creevey with his ridiculously oversized camera. Vincent Crabbe stealing cupcakes on Christmas. James Potter winning the House Cup in his sixth year. Fred Weasley attending classes as his brother after a raucous Quidditch party the night before. Sirius Black sitting in the library with his nose buried in a History of Magic textbook. Lavender Brown pulling Ronald Weasley around the castle looking for places to hide. Remus Lupin smiling as his friends filtered into the infirmary after a full moon. Pandora Rosier playing in the woods with thestrals. Severus Snape laughing with Lily Evans by the lake as she danced to music only she could hear. Students laughing at Yule balls and dancing in the courtyard under bright stars. Loud clapping and laughter in the great hall during The Sorting. Children running through Hogsmeade, Zonko’s products and butterbeer in every hand. She reminisced each beautiful, tiny moment she had witnessed in 42 years of teaching. All the while, she cried.

She finished telling herself the story she had been recounting to Harry. How she had found Sirius crying in the courtyard after dinner, begging her to do something about his parents. Pleading with her as tears streamed down his face, telling her the horrible things they had done to him and his brother, what his cousins had experienced at the hands of their parents. Narcissa was no longer a student and was already married to Lucious Malfoy, which meant she was safer than Sirius, but Bellatrix was just as evil as her family and had made years of their lives a living hell.

She remembered how she had cried afterward, when he had gone back to the party his friends had planned and pretended everything was okay. She remembered barging into Dumbledore’s office, screaming at him for keeping students in such terrible situations, berating him with curses and insults that she hadn’t used since her youth, only to be met with, “There is nothing to be done, Minerva.” She spent the rest of Sirius’ years at Hogwarts ensuring he knew he was valued and loved. She would give him extra gifts on his birthday and at Christmas, make extra credit assignments in areas he wanted to learn more about, and make certain that he always had enough to eat. She loved Sirius, wishing often that she could have done more to help him. She told him how proud she was that he had run away and sent thanks and gifts to the Potters. She had done her best, and yet never felt like it was enough.

Every feeling she had pushed down for the last few months rose to the surface, choking her and overpowering her mind. She held herself, arms around her chest, as she sobbed, overwhelmed and helpless, feeling more alone than she had been since her husband had died of a Venomous Tentacula bite three years after they were married.

All of her time, all of her energy had been devoted to her students, so much so that she had not taken a moment for herself since before Dumbledore died. She cried, finally letting herself breathe. She was surprised by how calming it was.

“Minerva McGonagall never had children, but she loved each student as if he had been hers,” a voice said in front of her. Minerva looked up, mouth open in surprise, to find Sirius Black floating before her, his legs crossed and his eyes soft. His hair rippled on a phantom wind as he smiled at her. She wiped her tears, attempting to compose herself.

Her tears couldn’t be contained as he continued speaking.

“Minerva McGonagall never had children, but she treated each child she came across as if he were the most important person she had ever met. Minerva McGonagall never had children, but she was a mother to me.”

************

In the following months, The Marauders became an integral part of Hogwarts life.

They had, of course, adopted Fred as their fourth member, returning themselves to their post as the most chaotic and mischievous group in the school, and made themselves invaluable around the castle. Remus worked as a teacher’s assistant in Defense Against The Dark Arts, greatly enjoying being able to work with children again. Sirius made it his mission to tutor every struggling student in history and astronomy while James worked the Quidditch pitch, assisting learning fliers and seasoned players alike. After all, he had been one of the greatest Quidditch players in Hogwarts’ history. Fred helped with charms practice and taught students quicker and more hidden paths through the castle.

It was odd, at first, to have so many extra ghosts in the castle, but all reservations were quickly forgotten as they became an intrinsic part of life at Hogwarts. Lavender liked to show the house elves where clothes were hidden so they could avoid them if they chose to, Colin spent hours listening to students’ hardships, becoming a counselor of sorts alongside Tonks. Even Nearly Headless Nick, the Bloody Baron, and the rest of Hogwarts’ original ghosts (aside from Myrtle, who remained crying in the girl’s toilet) found tasks and duties around the castle, helping as much as possible.

Students returned to a more normal version of their lives, trauma not gone, but healing quicker than any of them thought possible due to the return of their loved ones. Quidditch resumed, pranks were in full force, and Ron Weasley had opened up a small joke box business from outside the Gryffindor common room, carrying on his brother’s legacy.

Sometime in April, Minerva sat at the head of the Great Hall and watched students eating their meals while the ghosts mingled. She noted each child and saw how their scars healed and faded. Some never would, but students came to terms with this via Remus Lupin showing off his scars, explaining that they had never faded, but they remained a part of who he was. As for the emotional scars, students had a better support system than any class before had.

During dinner, Harry and Hermione asked the original Marauders why they were so young, far more so than they had been when they passed.

“Well, my happiest years were spent here, in this school,” Remus said. “Before the war had really affected us, before we lost our families, before everything. We were at peace here. We were in control of the chaos.”

“And as happy as your mother and I were when you were born, Harry,” James added, “we simply couldn’t match the feeling we had at school. When you were born, you were a target, we were targets, so we couldn’t truly be happy when we were always afraid.”

“Unless, of course, you're me,” Sirius said, sprawling on an invisible surface in that dramatic way of his. “Away from my parents? Check. With my best friends? Check. A new godson to fashion into a mini-me? Double check.”

Harry laughed, the students around him joining in. Even McGonagall chuckled from her nearby post where she could hear.

“I was the happiest I had ever been that Halloween morning, Harry,” Sirius continued. “Leaving that house, thinking you were all safe, knowing that I finally had a family of my own. That was the happiest moment of my life.”

Hermione smiled, tears in her eyes, as Harry grinned, sitting taller and prouder. Minerva looked away, hiding her own smile, and took a deep breath.

Everything is going to be okay.

This time when she said it, she believed it.

#harry potter #post-deathly hollows #harry potter fanfiction #harry potter fic #minerva mcgonagall #minnie #marauders #marauders fanfiction #ao3 fanfic #fanfic #fanfiction #battle of hogwarts #sirius black #sirius orion black #idk how to tag this #remus lupin #james potter #fred weasley

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