#snapedeom

[violet-knox]

Opportunities

Year 7 - Chapter 70

Summary: You're anxious for your last Quidditch game, worried about your future and your relationship with Severus

Word count: 1710

Previous Chapter - Chapter 1

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You looked so stressed. Even from the stands he could tell you were worried about the outcome of the Quidditch finals. You’d spent the last two weeks training every single day, he barely had a second to say hello. He didn’t blame you though. He knew how important this game was to you, how badly you needed to win, and he supported you. The game had kept the crowd on their toes, likely the most anticipated match in the history of Hogwarts Quidditch. He hadn’t realized how good Hufflepuff had gotten, challenging your skill and leadership on a level he didn’t think was possible. His heartbeat furiously as the score flipped between favouring either team, nearly everyone watching it carefully as they waited for the snitch to be caught. All the action was with the chasers, but everyone’s attention was on the seekers. Even Severus couldn’t help but watch Potter and wonder if he was going to let you down today or make himself useful for once.

This game had gone on for far too long, and the longer it went on, the more stressed you became. Severus could see Potter’s failure seep into you as frustration, but it didn’t surprise him. Of course Potter was someone who couldn’t be trusted, and he tried telling you not to depend on him, but you had to insist he was the best seeker you had. It didn’t matter now, you were both graduating and with any luck, you’d never see Potter again after this game.

The crowd roared as the snitch was finally caught, every player pausing in anticipation for the reveal of which team won. Severus hated himself for hoping it was Potter who’d prevailed, but he didn’t care. He just wanted you to win, to have that final victory to look back on. Gryffindor cheered and he watched as your team landed, ambushing Potter with smiles on your faces. You looked so relieved, so happy and he wanted to be happy for you, but he felt jealous it wasn’t him you were hugging. With everything that has been going on with your relationship, he really needed to find a way to show you how much he truly cared about you.

The stands began to clear out as the teams made their way to the changing rooms, but Severus felt frozen in place. He let everyone leave him behind as he sat there in the growing silence and clear skies. He looked up at the clouds and began to imagine what his life would be like if he hadn’t been sorted into Slytherin, if Malfoy had left him alone in his first year. He could never imagine a life without you, but sometimes he wondered how much easier his life would be if he hadn’t got a taste of both sides, if his life had followed one simple path instead of two. Was it silly to ask such questions? Perhaps it was and perhaps what he should be wondering about is what path he will find himself on after graduation. There were so many things up in the air, so many unknowns and dangers but he knew whatever came his way he’d manage it so long as he had you.

He stood up and began to make his way out of the stadium. The crowd had dispersed into groups, some celebrating, some simply chatting. He could see your team cheering and shouting with a large group of Gryffindors as Potter held the snitch high in the air for all to see. Lily was next to him, smiling like her world was flawless. Lupin, Black and Pettigrew all joining in with the fun as if they had anything to do with Gryffindor’s victory. Severus couldn’t take another step. He couldn’t see you and the thought of trying to mingle with those buffoons made him want to run in the opposite direction and never look back.

Unable to stand another second of his past mocking him, he turned around, scanning the rest of the crowd, his eyes finally landing on you. He stared at you as you spoke with Connor, smiling from ear to ear. Just a few weeks ago, he would have been accepted with open arms if he walked over there, but he felt like an outsider, like he wasn’t welcome to join his girlfriend in celebrating one of the happiest moments of her life.

Your eyes met his and he could see your face drop even from this distance. His shoulders dropped as he considered just walking away. You didn’t need him, you never did. It was him who gained from your relationship, it just took him a while to realize that. You waved goodbye to Connor and began walking towards him, his legs instinctively pushing him to meet you halfway.

“Where’ve you been?” As he got closer to you, he could see just how happy you were, like all that stress had evaporated. You were practically jumping with joy, unable to contain your glee as you walked closer to him. “I was hoping to see you outside the changing room.”

“Sorry.” His voice caught in his throat. He’d been silent all day, the only other words spoken from his lips were ‘good luck’ when he saw you before the game. He clapped for you of course, but he couldn’t find it in him to cheer, not when everyone else around him had much more energy than him. Still, that didn’t mean he couldn't’ support you in his own way. “But maybe I can make it up to you?”

“Oh?” You bit your lip as you took his hands in yours, smiling up at him. Finally, you felt like some of the stress that had been weighing you down ease off your shoulders. Between Quidditch, N.E.W.Ts and all the drama with Severus and Connor, you weren’t sure if you’d be able to make it through to the end of the school year. But here you were, Quidditch champion, your grades were up and you’d managed to maintain your relationships with Connor and Severus. Connor would never likely speak to Severus again, but you didn’t expect to win all your battles this week. For now, you just had to focus on your relationship with Severus.

He’d been so distant these past two weeks. A part of you blamed yourself, your Quidditch schedule completely unaccommodating. But he usually always sat in on your practices if he didn’t have class, yet he’d completely disappeared from them over the last few days. He’d barely said two words to you before your game today, and even now, he looked as if he’d gotten no sleep for a week. You squeezed his hands and stepped as close to him as you could, trying to read his mysterious, dark eyes.

“I’ve missed you,” he whispered with a touch of guilt in his voice. Your smile began to fade as you realized just how much work you had to mend your relationship with him. This time apart had not done him well, leaving things up in the air after the incident with Connor like that had clearly impacted him more than you’d realized. You lunged at him, wrapping your arms around his shoulders and squeezing him in a tight embrace, hoping to remind him of just how much you cared about him.

“Ms. (Y/L/N)?” You tore yourself from Severus and looked to your side to find a man you’d never seen kindly smiling at you. You stepped back from your interrupted hug and turned towards the man.

“Yes?”

“My name is Odie Elks. I’m a recruiter for The English National Quidditch team.” It took everything you had to keep yourself composed. A recruiter was speaking with you, and not just any recruiter, a recruiter for The English National Quidditch team! “I’ve been told you lead the Gryffindor team to victory, and I must say, I’m impressed by your skill, both as a chaser and a Captain.”

The recruiter had given you a compliment, speaking to you like he was interested in you, and you couldn’t believe this was happening right now. You looked up at Severus just to make sure he could see this man too and sure enough, he wore a happy smirk on his face, his eyes landing on the recruiter.

“Th-thank you!”

“Have you considered playing Quidditch professionally?”

“I-I’ve given it some thought, yes.” You could barely find your words, your eyes wide as your heart pounded with the potential opportunity that had appeared before you. The recruiter opens his jacket and slips a hand in his pocket, taking out a small card and handed it to you.

“Well, perhaps you may consider joining us if that’s the path you decide to take.”

“Thank you! I will!”

“We’ll be in touch.” The recruiter nodded his head and began making his way towards the castle. You bit your tongue, waiting for him to get out of earshot before your internal scream leaked as a squeal. You jumped up and down, your excitement escaping your body, Severus smiling at your glee.

“(Y/N)! That’s amazing! I told you you had the talent!” Severus felt so happy for you, sharing in your excitement and incredible achievement. You inspired him so much with everything you did. Your kindness, your dedication, everything about you made him want to be better, to do better.

“Sev,” you ambushed him, nearly making him fall over as you tossed your arms back around him. “I can’t believe I hold in my hand the card from a recruiter of The English National Quidditch Team. This can’t be real. I’m dreaming!”

Severus smiled, giving you a quick kiss atop your head. “You deserve every bit of this, congratulations (Y/N).”

You smiled, pressing Severus to you as you let out a sigh of contempt. Everything seemed to be falling into place. Things were looking up for life after graduation and Severus’ mood had already begun to lift. This was only the beginning of course. You still had so much work to do. N.E.W.Ts were fast approaching and you couldn’t let anything else eat away at your relationship with Severus any longer. No more excuses, you were going to spend time with your boyfriend and iron out your relationship.

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Next Chapter

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