Severus walked into the Great Hall, his eyes was looking for you. It was something that he had grown accustom to since you became friends with him. However, his fire to start the day died down a little bit when you were nowhere to be seen.

He hated to admit it but he was falling for you. It was hard not to, you were drop dead gorgeous and your kindness overwhelmed him every time. Thus, he was looking forward to seeing you every day, and it was worrying him when you were late for breakfast. It was unusual for you to come later than him.

Sighing, he went to sit with the other teachers, saving a seat next to him for you. The teachers knew right away to keep that one particular seat empty, knowing that Severus wanted to sit beside you. He never thought that they noticed, but they did. They noticed how close he was with you and how much the Potions Master enjoyed your company, it was just a matter of time until you and him got together like you should.

"Where is Y/N?"

Severus frowned at Flitwick's question, and he shook his head, not knowing where you were. Then he was reminded of your meeting with him yesterday. You told him that you were exhausted, and the students were giving you a hard time for a few weeks already. He offered to talk to your students, but you being as selfless as ever, you refused his offer.

"She seems unwell when I met her yesterday."

Flitwick pointed out, and Severus nodded weakly. He had noticed it too. You were not getting enough sleep because of your work, and he could see that you were not feeling well. Severus let out an exasperated sigh, thinking that he should've helped you yesterday instead of letting you leave without giving you any healing potions.

He was shook from his train of thoughts when Filch ran across the Great Hall to the teachers table. The man seemed to be worried and scared at the same time, and it was not a good sign. Filch went to Dumbledore, but his eyes darted from the headmaster to Severus, contemplating who should he talk to about the news that he brought.

"I found Professor L/N unconscious. I think she fainted while she was walking here."

Filch revealed, and Severus' heart dropped at his words. He quickly stood up from his chair before Dumbledore could, worry filled his eyes as the thought of you being harm was swarming his head.

"Where is she?"

Dumbledore asked, seeing how panic the younger professor was. They all knew how Severus cared for you, and the news must had struck him across his heart.

"Professor Lupin took her to the hospital wing."

Severus growled under his breath at the mention of the other professor's name. While he knew you thought of Lupin as nothing more than a friend, it did not mean that he was not jealous with how close you were with his colleague. And now when you were in trouble, Lupin was there with you instead of him.

Severus went to the hospital wing with Albus and Minerva trailing behind him, because he was walking as fast as he could, worry was clouding his mind. The students gulped when they saw the look on his face that could kill. They had never seen him that enraged before. While he was concerned about you, he was angry at himself for not noticing your health condition and now you were in the hospital wing because of his ignorance.

As soon as he stepped into the hospital wing, he saw you lying in your bed, with Remus sitting next to you. His worry only got worsen and it turned into a burning jealousy when he saw Remus was holding your hand in his.

Severus practically shoved Madam Pomfrey aside, who wanted to tell him about your condition. Madam Pomfrey sighed, and talked to Albus and Minerva instead. Both of the older professors could not help but smiled when he saw how protective Severus was. He strode to your bed, squinting his eyes at Remus.

"Can you please let go of her hand, Lupin?"

Remus was surprised at his words, but nevertheless, he let go of your hand and stood up from his chair. An amused smirk was dancing on his lips when he realised that Severus was jealous of him.

"Y/N is not feeling well, Severus. Now it's not the time for you to be jealous."

Severus cocked his eyebrow at his colleague then his eyes moved to you. His heart was crushed when he saw you lying there, pale and unconscious. He should've noticed it sooner when you said you were tired.

"I'm here now. I don't think you're needed here, Lupin."

"I brought her here, Snape."

"That doesn't mean you can stay with her."

"I can and I will. She's my friend."

"She doesn't need you. She needs me."

Severus retorted, rage was flashing through his eyes as he glared at Remus. Albus and Minerva quickly came towards them, seeing the two professors were about to fight if they did not stop them.

"Please stop acting like children. Y/N needs to recover and she doesn't need two grown up men fighting over her while she's sick!"

Minerva scolded them, silencing the younger professors right away. Severus gritted his teeth and Remus rolled his eyes, but they listened to her because she was right. They did argue like children, when they were supposed to be the ones who control them.

"Y/N, you're awake."

Albus announced, upon seeing your eyes fluttered open at the crescendo that your colleagues were creating. Severus and Remus looked at each other before they both wanted to sit next to you, but failing miserably as they kept pushing each other. Minerva's eyes widen at how childish they were behaving, all for you. Albus just watched, amused with how imprudent those men could be sometimes.

"Oh god, what are you guys doing?"

You frowned, as you watched them shoving each other. They collected themselves together and stood next to your bed, ashamed of what they just did. You realised that you were in the hospital wing and you recalled your last memory which was fainting when you were walking to the Great Hall. You still could remember hearing Filch's voice, and Remus's voice who was trying to keep you awake.

"Thank you Remus for taking me here."

You thanked your colleague, making a broad smile found its way on his face. You returned his smile with your own, and you noticed how sad Severus looked. The Potions Master was going to leave when you caught his wrist.

"Where are you going, Severus? Aren't you going to stay with me?"

Severus' breath hitched at your questions, and his heart was beating rapidly against his chest when he realised you were holding his wrist, stopping him from leaving. Severus thought you would prefer to have Lupin's company, apparently not. You wanted him there. His heart swelled at the thought of you needed him to stay with you.

"Of course, anything for you."

He responded, giving you a smile that shocked his colleagues. It was extremely hard to see him smiling, and he was doing it willingly because of you. They took it as a cue for them to leave, and you were glad when it was just you and him there.

"How are you feeling?"

He asked, sitting next to you as he took your hand in his. You sighed in content when his warmth touched your cold skin.

"I'm fine now that you're here."

He was not expecting your answer, but he just nodded.

"I was so worried."

He blurted out, and you chuckled under your breath. You could see worry in his eyes, and it flattered you to know that he really cared about you.

"It's alright, Sev. I'm just too stressed out and tired. It's not like I'm dying."

You laughed, but when his smile dropped, you knew he was not playing around. He was worried sick about you and you just laughed. You cursed yourself for being so insensitive to his feelings, wanting nothing more but to bury yourself in his arms.

"I have something to tell you, Severus."

You whispered softly, looking him in the eyes. He nodded, asking you to continue. You chewed on you bottom lip, afraid if he rejected you and pushed you away. But you had to get it out of your chest, no matter how bad his response would be.

"I love you, Severus Snape."

You confessed. You saw colours draining from his face, and you were scared if he might pass out. On the other hand, Severus was flabbergasted at your sudden confession. He knew his heart belonged to you, but he never thought that you would ever love him back. You quickly assumed his silence as rejection, letting go of his hand.

"I know you don't feel the same way."

As the words rolled out of your tongue, Severus was panicked. He had given you the wrong idea about his feelings for you. He could not forgive himself if he messed up his chance with you. Hence, he caressed your face softly, forcing you to look at him.

"I love you so much. Never in my wildest dreams that I thought you would love me back."

You smiled at his sweet words, leaning against his loving touch. If you had not fainted this morning, you doubted if you ever got the courage to confess like you did. Your gaze moved from his eyes to his lips, and you wanted to kiss him so bad.

"Kiss me."

You did not have to ask twice for Severus to close the gap between you and him, pressing his lips with yours. A steady blush ran across your face when you realised that you were kissing him, and you let him guided your lips to move with his in a perfect sync. Heat rose from his stomach, sending butterflies erupted in his chest when you yanked him closer, kissing him deeper and harder.

"I've been wanting to do that for so long."

You muttered, chuckling heartily as his face flushed at your words. Severus planted a kiss on your head, pulling you into his arms.

"Next time if I faint, I want you to carry me here. Not Remus."

You joked, and Severus shook his head, did not fancy the thought of you ever needed to go to the hospital wing again.

"There will be no next time. I'll take care of you, darling."

He promised, and you grinned at the new nickname that he gave you. It sent butterflies fluttering in your stomach and you loved it.

"Can you call me darling again?"

"Of course, darling."

You squealed in his arms, making a deep chuckle escaped his lips. Severus was true to his words. He made sure you were in perfect health before you teach your classes, and he walked you to the Great Hall every day, not wanting the history to repeat itself. You loved to see how protective he was with you, and obviously, he was no longer jealous of Remus because he knew there would only be one person who owned your heart—and that person would be Severus Snape.

-
as you can see i'm bad at choosing titles

10th January 2021