I rushed to Professor Snape's office, opening the door without even knocking as I was too excited to tell him the news. I was almost jumping on my feet when I found the professor sitting in his chair, and he frowned when he saw me walking into his office.

"How dare you waltz into my office without even knocking first, Miss L/N?"

Snape scowled, and I just realised I had broke the only rule he gave to me when he first decided to tutor me. Face flushed, I chuckled nervously and watched his face carefully, trying to see if my teacher was really mad at me.

"I'm sorry, Professor. I was too excited."

I apologised, and a small smile was cracked on my lips when he raised his eyebrows, wondering what made me so eager to come and see him that evening. Seeing that he was not actually angry, my excitement was flooding into my body once again, dripping from my voice.

"I got the highest marks, Professor!"

I squealed, putting my graded paper on his table, and his eyes immediately landed on it, wanting to see if my words were true. I had to contain my laughter as I was too happy with my Defence Against the Dark Arts result, but I still did not know what was his reaction would be.

After Professor Snape healed my head injury that day, we met again under different circumstances. He revealed that he found my ability in Potions was outstanding compared to my friends, so he offered to tutor me on the subject, wanting me to learn more about it and I, as any other sane student would do, I agreed. 

Why wouldn't I? The best teacher in Hogwarts wanted to give me private lessons. And while everyone feared him, no one could deny that he was a great professor.

I started to take private lessons with him, learning more about Potions. I also told him about my day, not that Snape asked me, but I was just being shameless and thought him as a friend, and as time went by, he did not seem to mind as I talked to him about almost everything.  

Then, he finally found out that I was the worst at Defence Against the Dark Arts. I literally coaxed him into tutoring me in the subject as well, sending him cookies and cakes every weekend to bribe him until he caved in and agreed to teach me. I just had to listen to him bragging about how good he was on every subject when he was a student, but it was fine, as long as he was helping me.

"Excellent, Miss L/N."

He praised, and I felt a huge wave of pride washed over me, and I could not hold back a grin that was growing on my face. Snape continued to look at my paper, trying to see a few mistakes I made so he could correct me later during our private lesson.

"Thank you for teaching me."

I said, and he looked up at me, as if he was not expecting me to thank him. I was not sure why it always took him by surprise whenever I showed my appreciation towards him, but I never asked. It took him a moment before he gave me a nod.

"This is good but I'm pretty sure you are better in Potions."

Snape pointed out, a smirk was painted on his face. I let out a chuckle under my breath, nodding at his words. Perhaps it was because I had no passion in Defence Against the Dark Arts, unlike the burning passion I had for Potions. It was affecting my grades.

"Well, you better be careful, Professor. Maybe one day I will be better than you in Potions."

I dared to challenge him, and he could only scoff at my words, shaking his head at the thought. He placed my paper back on the table, leaning against the comfort of his chair.

"You wish, Miss L/N."

"It's alright. I'm not interested to be a potioneer."

I explained, casually plopping down in a chair across his table. Snape squinted his eyes at me, trying to fathom what was running through my mind at the moment.

"I believe you still do not know what to do after Hogwarts."

"Yes, you are right."

I gave him a smile, but it did not reach my eyes and Snape immediately knew that it was something which was disturbing me so much since I would be graduated from school soon, and I still had no idea what was awaiting in the future. Almost everyone already had their lives mapped out, and I was still unsure.

"How about your parents?"

He asked, and his question was like a punch to my guts, and I found myself frowning at him. It had been awhile since I wrote to my parents, as I knew they would not have time to read my letters and it would take forever for them to write back to me.

It was funny to think that my parents were fighting over me, as if I was their most treasured possession, when actually they did not even truly care for me. They just wanted to own me, needing me to side on one of them to show how better of a parent they were compared to the other. It was a selfish need, really.

"They— They are busy. I have to figure out my life on my own." 

I stammered on my words, trying to avoid the Potions Master's gaze. But he seemed to understand, as he nodded weakly, his eyes never leaving me. Since I knew the truth about my parents' falling relationship, I felt so small and vulnerable every time they were mentioned, as I could no longer try to escape the harsh reality that I was raised in a dysfunctional family.  

I used to hide from the truth, masking it with a smile when I had conversation about my parents. I had to act as if everything was fine, I actually believed it was, as I was taught to protect the dignity of my family's name.

"You can decide on your own. It is better that way."

Snape encouraged, raising his eyebrows at me. I needed a little push to see that I was entitled to decide my future, and Snape just gave me what I needed.

"Really?"

"Of course. It is your life, Miss L/N."

He was right. He was absolutely right. I have lived long enough under my parents' wings, obeying their every word, retreating back to my room every time they fought, crying myself to sleep as I had no one to talk to, pretending to be happy around their lavish friends so my parents would have a good reputation— But after graduation, I could start to live my life on my own. 

"Do you really think I would be able to live on my own?"

Professor Snape rolled his eyes at my question, and it brought a smile upon my face.

"I live on my own for as long as I could remember, Miss L/N. I'm doing just fine."

He smirked, seeming to be proud of himself. It was not a lie and everyone could see from his lifestyle that he was not depending on anyone else but himself. It was admirable. A chuckle escaped my lips at his words and I shook my head.

"You are doing fine because I am here with you."

I joked, receiving a glare from him. It still sent shivers running down my spine every time Professor Snape glared daggers at me, but it did not scare me much like before I really knew him. I was still a little bit frightened under his gaze, but now I could tell if he was truly angry or if he was just annoyed.

"Don't flatter yourself, Miss L/N."  

I put my hands up, a smile was dancing on my lips, and I dropped them on my lap, as he let out an irritated sigh. I looked at the time and realised it was almost dinner time so I quickly stood up, ready to leave.

"Aren't you going to dinner, Professor?"

He thought for awhile, his eyes were glued on the papers on his table, and I just realised he was writing some kind of report when I walked in. He shook his head, and I understood right away. He was trying to make his work as excuse for not having dinner.

"I have work to do."

"I know but it is not good to skip meals."

I reminded him, knowing that he did not take his breakfast or lunch. I also noticed an empty cup on his table, which I highly believed was refilled with coffee many times throughout the day.

"It is not good for you, Miss L/N. I'm fine."

He retorted, continued to write his report. I shrugged my shoulders, thanking him before walking out of his office. I was heading straight to the Great Hall, sitting with my friends who were indulged in a conversation about some students who were caught snogging in the classroom by Filch.

I cringed at the thought of being caught by Filch, and I shook my head, glad that I never had such affair. Well, it was something that I used to despise— that I was not able to see myself in a relationship with anyone. My friends had gone on many dates for these years in Hogwarts but I was the one who rejected boys who came to me, also refusing to have a crush on anyone.

Perhaps it was because of my trust issues, and my fear of commitment, or because I thought every relationship would find its downfall at the end.

But I was not to be blamed— Seeing my parents' wrecked marriage since young age was not a good example for me to see how love should be. My friends would say that one day I would find somebody who could win my heart, and I believed in them, once that special someone comes along, I would not think twice to fall in love.

As I was laughing at one of my friends' silly remark, I raised my eyebrows when I saw Professor Snape walking into the Great Hall. His entrance was dramatic as usual, with his robes flowing behind him and his stern look on his face. 

I thought he said he was fine and he did not need dinner. Apparently I managed to persuade him not to skip dinner. A smirk was formed on my lips when he glanced at me. I gave him a thumbs up, as everyone else was too busy with their own business to notice, and Snape could only shake his head, taking his eyes off me.