I closed my eyes and hoped that Severus wouldn't kick me out straight away as I knocked on his chamber door.

"Hello-" Severus stopped himself as he spotted me, "Verita, please. Don't force yourself."

"I'm not," I whispered back harshly, "Just let me in before anyone sees us."

"No."

"Severus, please! I'm sorry," I pleaded, "I made a mistake."

His eyes filled with doubt for a second. They were slightly red and puffy.

"You've... been crying?"

My voice barely came out in a whisper, cracking as I spoke. It broke my heart to see him like that - but had I already broken his?

"It doesn't matter," Severus said, beginning to shut the door.

In an instant, I shoved my foot into his room before he closed the door. I was lucky he noticed this or else he might've accidentally chopped my leg off.

"Foolish girl," he commented before shutting the door behind me as I forced my way into the room.

"Don't act like we never happened," I told him accusingly, "I didn't know what I was talking about, Severus. Professor Dumbledore meant a lot to me."

"I know, Verita. He would have killed Draco, your friend, and me. But... What am I to you?"

"I love you," I announced, placing my hand on his arm, "Severus, I'm truly sorry."

"As am I," he muttered, "But pain does not go easy."

"What can I do?" I begged, "Please, let me help you."

"It is not going to be healed like that," Severus replied, sitting on the edge of his bed, "I have killed someone I put my trust in, too."

I nodded slowly, pressing my lips to his cheek, "I understand, Severus. Thank you for telling me."

I began to walk away, and as I went to leave I said, "Please, take as long as you need."

I went to shut the door, but a hand clamped around my wrist tight and pulled me back in. Severus' lips met mine in an instant, and I felt my body go electric.

He pulled away and whispered in my ear, "I said it won't be healed like that, not that I don't need you."