The Exposure

Chapter Forty-Five

          You're summoned for a meeting with the Headmaster immediately following dinner. When you arrive at her office, you stop in your tracks a moment when you see Angel standing before her desk, turning and watching you with smug eyes. "Miss Y/n. Thank you for coming. I'll get right to it, as I'm sure all three of us have better things to do..."

          McGonagall sits behind her desk and gestures to two chairs across from it for you both to sit. You comply, and once settled she begins, "While there is a no-tolerance policy for violence at Hogwarts..." your eyes lower from her stern gaze, "...there is also a no-tolerance policy for bullying or slander." Angel stiffens in restraint.

          "Miss Baker, while Miss Y/n's actions were...indecorous, yours were also unacceptable. Seeing as how you provoked this entire ordeal by surreptitiously going through Miss Y/n's personal belongings, I would say you're both...even, for lack of a better term. There will be no more recalcitrance from either one of you." Her watchful gaze moves between you, "Do I make myself clear?" she asks firmly.

          "Yes, Headmaster," you reply quietly, but Angel is silent. McGonagall's eyes are bright and piercing as they watch Angel's miffed expression. She finally speaks quickly, her voice shaky with anger, "Headmaster, she deserves to be punished! And do you even know what was in that journal? She wrote all kinds of vile things about Professor Snape and how badly she wants to––"

          "Miss. Baker," McGonagall says in a terrifying voice. "I do not recall asking your opinion about whether we should enforce thought control. Miss Y/n may express in her free time, with her own belongings, whatever she wishes. We do not own her mind, and neither do you. It is none––and I do mean none of your business." Angel's cheeks turn red with barely-reigned rage. "Is. That. Clear?" McGonagall asks firmly but calmly, her eyes almost serpentine with intensity.

          After a moment Angel finally speaks in a quiet voice through clenched teeth. "...yes, Headmaster." You watch the heated exchange, a wave of relief washing over you that you won't be required to leave Hogwarts...or apparently even face disciplinary action. Severus meant what he said when you shared your worry with him of getting expelled, "...I will make sure no such thing happens to you." In spite of the tension in the room, you feel a calm and a warmth wash over you at the thought.

          Angel gives you one last venomous look as you both leave the Headmaster's office, each heading your separate ways to your own rooms.

          That night, you sneak silently from your room, checking every possible angle for prying eyes. When you're satisfied you're not being watched, you climb up to the seventh floor and gaze up at the strange tapestries hanging in the halls. You knew it was across from the tapestry with...dancing trolls? Ah, there it is. Wow. What a scene. You feel the stone wall directly across from the tapestry and think of Severus and the longing in your heart and suddenly the walls vibrate and it opens up to you.

          You enter the room and find it warm and cozy, a fireplace roaring. You notice a large, soft bed in the middle with an unashamed, naked Severus on it, lying on his side luxuriantly. He cocks his brow at you with a smirk and you laugh in disbelief at the sight and saunter over to him, hopping up on the bed and lounging next to him, lying on your back and looking up at him with an adoring smile.

          "Professor, why did you have me meet you here?" He kisses the back of your hand, examining it before explaining in a low tone, "The Room of Requirement perceives great need and provides a space accordingly. It can also conceal us in a way my quarters cannot." He glances at you, "It will only open to us while in our...use. We won't be discovered or interrupted in here," he says with a mischief in his eye and a boyish smirk.