"Severus, are you smiling?"

Minerva's voice shook him from his trance. He dropped his fork on the plate and looked at her, who had a puzzled look on her face upon seeing how happy the Potions Master was during breakfast.

"I'm not smiling, Minerva."

He denied, looking away from her. The older professor smirked and shook her head, not wanting to ask him even further about the reason behind his smile. Only Severus knew that he was smiling because he was thinking about you. He could not get you out of his mind since the last time he saw you, and he was anticipating to go out on a date with you this weekend.

Severus found himself being excited for the weekend, counting the days so that he could finally see you again. He missed your beautiful smile and your sweet voice, everything you did was alluring to him that he was not able to push you out his mind. He was feeling like a lovesick teenager, and he was disgusted at the thought, but then again he loved the feeling too.

"Why do you keep reading this book?"

Albus asked him one day, seeing him reading your book again, and the headmaster was sure the younger professor had the book with him every time they met.

"The writing is beautiful."

He said defensively, shutting it as his reading was disturbed. Albus stared at him for awhile, before a grin found its way on the old professor's face.

"I believe the author is beautiful too?"

Albus guessed, and he chuckled when Severus' face flushed, something that was unusual for him. He nodded weakly, and excused himself before the headmaster could ask more questions about you and him. He was not ready for the other teachers' teasing and remarks, especially when it was about you. When the time comes, he would tell them about you himself, proud to say that his heart was stolen by none other than you.

He was happy beyond words when the weekend had finally come but then he just turned to be a nervous wreck as he was standing in front of the small muggle coffee shop. You suggested the place to him, saying that you would be waiting for him there with two cups of coffee that you loved so much and he agreed.

"What are you waiting for, Severus?"

He mentally cursed himself as he was contemplating his decision to walk into the coffee shop. Sighing, he walked into the shop, the familiar smell of coffee in the air was calming him a bit. But his heart thud rapidly against his chest when he saw you waiting for him. As soon as your eyes landed on him, a big smile was painted on your face, not knowing that it sent warmth wrapped around the professor's heart.

He walked towards you and he was taken aback when you left a kiss on his cheek, sending a plethora of indescribable feelings exploded in his chest. You just smiled and he took a seat across you.

"I'm sorry to keep you waiting."

"It's alright. I thought perhaps you changed your mind."

You joked, but apparently Severus thought that you were being serious with him. He panicked, and you could see it on his face. You quickly put your hand on his, wanting to calm him down but it seemed to surprise him even more.

"Are you okay, Severus?"

His breath hitched when he felt your touch against his skin, and he cursed himself for being so nervous when he was supposed to be the calm and collected one.

"I'm totally fine."

He answered curtly, making a chuckle escaped your lips.

"I'm really glad you're here today. It's like a dream come true."

You said, thinking of how fortunate you were to be on a date with him. You praised yourself for being bold enough to ask him out, or else you would not be sitting in a coffee shop with him.

"A dream?"

"Yes. I've always fancy you but back then I couldn't do anything about it."

You explained, tearing your gaze away from him. After Hogwarts, you thought that your feelings for him would fade away and it was just a stupid infatuation. But you knew you had to see him again after your heart told you that there was no other man you wanted but him. You met many new people after Hogwarts, but none of them was compared to him.

"I think I'm falling for you."

You smiled shyly at him, and Severus could not help but let pride washed over him, knowing that such a beautiful young lady like you were falling for him. It was a good thing to know that his feelings were reciprocated.

"I'm glad it's you, Y/N."

He squeezed your hand assuringly, making you look up at him, realising that your feelings were not unrequited after all. The date went smoothly, as both of you talked about everything. Severus was not nervous anymore upon seeing how happy you were with him, and he wanted to make sure that the date went well so that he could go on another date with you again.

"There is a new art gallery here. Do you want to come?"

You asked, did not want to be apart from him just yet. Severus nodded almost immediately, willing to do anything as long as you were with him. The professor did not care about the arts at all as he walked with you, astonished with how passionate you look as your eyes gazed at the arts.

He could not help but admired how your lips curled up into a gorgeous smile, that could flush away his devastation and replace it with a wave of happiness and affection that he had never felt before.

Severus raised his eyebrows when your steps came to a halt, and you looked up at him with the biggest smile. He felt like he could faint when you caressed his face softly, and he instinctively leaned against your touch, loving how gentle you were with him.

"You're my favourite piece of art, Severus."

You said, chuckling under your breath as you continued to walk, leaving flustered Severus behind. He breathed sharply, and took a few long strides to catch up with you. Usually he would be opposed to going out especially in a muggle town, but he did not care about anything else but you that day.

Both of you went to get some ice cream after that, and Severus grinned when he saw how eager you were to taste it. Sometimes your adorable demeanours made him wanting to kiss you but he pulled himself together, refusing to make you feel uncomfortable on your first date.

As you were walking down the street with him, he could see your gaze moving from him towards his hand. He raised his eyebrows, and you gave him a smile.

"Can I hold your hand?"

You asked timidly, and Severus felt his chest tighten, as your affection was overwhelming him. He nodded vigorously, taking your hand in his, engulfing you with his warmth. A chuckle vibrated in his chest when you squealed happily, could not believe that he was able to make you feel so happy with him.

He used to believe that people around him would abhor his presence, and he would end up hurting them. But now when he saw your smile and he could feel the joy that was radiating from you, he knew he had to give himself a chance to be in love. He believed he could be happy with you.

"Do you want to do this again next time?"

He asked, a little bit worried if you never wanted to see him again. You nodded, feeling as if the world was yours as Severus wanted to see you again. You could see that Severus was thinking to kiss you, but he would not say it.

"You can kiss me, Severus."

You chuckled, and Severus did not wait any second to kiss your lips tenderly, showing how loving he could be with you. You melted into a puddle of giddiness as he wrapped his strong arms around you, pulling you closer into his chest. When you pulled away from him, you saw the biggest smile on his face, and you could not help but grinned.

"Is that a smile just for me?"

"Yes. Anything for you."

-
I can't believe that SO MANY of you love Cookies and Tea so much that you want a part three! 😭

No need to ask, part 4 (the final part) is ready and will be posted soon <3

21st January 2021