ℒℯ𝓈𝓈ℴ𝓃 ℴ𝒻 ℒ𝒾𝒻ℯ 𝑒𝑛𝑔𝑙𝑖𝑠ℎ

❀ 𝒞𝒽𝒶𝓅𝓉ℯ𝓇 𝓉𝓌ℯ𝓃𝓉𝓎𝓃𝒾𝓃ℯ ❀

❤︎𝓼𝓮𝓮 𝓽𝓱𝓮 𝓰𝓸𝓸𝓭 𝓲𝓷 𝓹𝓮𝓸𝓹𝓵𝓮, 𝓮𝓿𝓮𝓷 𝓲𝓯 𝓽𝓱𝓮𝔂 𝓭𝓸𝓷'𝓽 𝓭𝓸 𝓲𝓽 𝓽𝓱𝓮𝓶𝓼𝓮𝓵𝓿𝓮𝓼. 𝓭𝓸𝓷'𝓽 𝓻𝓾𝓷 𝓪𝔀𝓪𝔂 𝔀𝓱𝓮𝓷 𝓽𝓱𝓮𝔂 𝓯𝓮𝓮𝓵 𝓽𝓱𝓮 𝓭𝓪𝓻𝓴𝓷𝓮𝓼𝓼 𝓲𝓷 𝓽𝓱𝓮𝓶𝓼𝓮𝓵𝓿𝓮𝓼, 𝓫𝓾𝓽 𝓽𝓪𝓴𝓮 𝓽𝓱𝓮𝓲𝓻 𝓱𝓪𝓷𝓭 𝓪𝓷𝓭 𝓼𝓱𝓸𝔀 𝓽𝓱𝓮𝓶 𝓽𝓱𝓮 𝓵𝓲𝓰𝓱𝓽 𝔀𝓲𝓽𝓱𝓲𝓷 𝓽𝓱𝓮𝓲𝓻 𝓼𝓸𝓾𝓵❤︎

Almost losing my footing, I would have stumbled if not for Severus's swift intervention, his grip upon my upper arms preventing an undignified collapse. While the panic that floods my countenance betrays my inner turmoil, Severus's visage remains an enigma, devoid of visible emotion, as is often the case. His gaze lingers upon the unexpected visitor, a mere nod of recognition punctuating the air.

"Lucius."

The sound of his name breaks the spell that has momentarily entranced the blond wizard, his eyes narrowing with skepticism, a futile attempt to banish the image from his mind. Unbeknownst to me, a blush paints my cheeks, the pale hue of surprise mingling with the sudden rush of warmth that engulfs my being.

"I need to speak with you, Severus. Alone."

Nodding in acquiescence, I turn, prepared to make a hasty retreat towards the door, but a gentle hand restrains me. A warmth, both physical and symbolic, radiates from Severus's touch, anchoring me in place, an unspoken declaration that I am an integral part of this conversation.

"She's staying. Whatever you wish to convey."

"Sev-"

Severus's resolute gaze silences the protests of the blond aristocrat, compelling him to relent and settle gracefully into an armchair, as if surrendering to the unfolding narrative. Hesitantly, I settle beside Severus, positioned across from Lucius, his arms folded dismissively over his chest. Though cognizant of the volatile nature of the situation, I find it impossible to suppress the curve of a smile upon my lips, and the comforting warmth that enfolds my heart, like an exquisite cloak of solace. For in this moment, it is evident that Severus entrusts me unreservedly, sharing his innermost secrets without reservation.

"Am I correct in assuming that you are already apprised of the latest developments?"

Lucius receives naught but a curt nod, a response that does not seem to perturb him in the slightest. Leaning back in his chair, he nonchalantly rests his walking stick against the armrest. Internally, I admire the composure of the blond wizard, who has intruded upon our clandestine realm, witnessing a scene both explicit and forbidden.

"What course of action do you intend to pursue now, Severus? It is clear that Rabastan and Rodolphus are hell-bent on our destruction. They will not cease their endeavors until they have incarcerated us or brought about our demise."

"I have no intention of intervening, Lucius. I shall remain here, ensconced within these hallowed walls, and continue to educate those insipid imbeciles who profess to be students."

A wry smile tugs at the corners of Lucius's lips as he shakes his head, raising his hand, from which materializes a glass bottle filled with amber-hued liquid. Severus arches an eyebrow, but utters no words, instead summoning three empty whiskey glasses to rest upon the table before us, a testament to his unspoken acceptance of this peculiar communion.

"I have extended offers for you to join me on numerous occasions, Severus. Your prodigious talents are squandered within these confines."

Gratefully accepting the filled glass, I raise it to my lips, savoring the fiery essence of the whiskey as it caresses my throat, momentarily diverting my attention from the tense circumstances that envelop us.