Suffering: Part 5

Companions Part 3

Severus followed her into the corridor, attempting to stop her. "You took a muggle apartment?" he asked as you walked. 

You turned to face him, a mixture of amusement and determination in your eyes. "Yes, I did. It's quiet, and I can blend in easily," you explained, hoping he would understand your need for some semblance of normalcy.

Severus arched an eyebrow, his curiosity piqued. "And how are you going to manage without magic? The Ministry will bring you in without hesitation if you are seen performing magic," he warned you.

"I shall be very careful if the situation calls for it. I just want some quiet away from.. away from wizards to be frank," you tell him. Severus sighed, rubbing his temples with a hint of frustration.

"What will you do when you start crying and it thunderstorms so hard your apartment building shakes? You are too powerful to live in the muggle world, it will only cause problems," Severus tells you.

"I've already signed the lease and paid the deposit. My choice was not without consideration," you admit. Severus stared at you for a moment, his eyes reflecting a mixture of concern and resignation. "Very well," he finally said, his voice softer.

"One more thing, I'm considering putting in my resignation as Potions Mistress. I'm questioning everything. Is this really what I wanted to do? Or did I do it because I believed it's what you wanted for me?" you ask.

Severus looked taken aback, his usually composed demeanor faltering for a split second. He took a deep breath, gathering his thoughts. "I never intended to dictate your path," he began, his voice carrying a rare note of vulnerability.

"Your talent, your passion for potions—it was always yours. Why do I feel like you are trying to leave everything? Me, our family, the school, now you're getting an apartment in a muggle area," he asked, his eyes filling with pain. He's got you almost pinned against castle wall.

You sighed, feeling the weight of his words and the depth of his emotions. "Severus, it's not about leaving everything behind. It's about finding myself," you explained, your voice trembling slightly. "I need to understand who I am outside of all of this—outside of your expectations, the school's demands, and even our relationship."

He stepped back, giving you some space, but his eyes never left yours. "And you think that distancing yourself from everything familiar will help you find that clarity?" he asked, a hint of skepticism in his tone.

"Maybe," you replied honestly. "I need to explore the world beyond the walls of this castle, beyond the confines of our world. I need to see what else is out there, who else I can be. This apartment in the muggle area, it's a start. A way for me to experience life differently, to grow in ways I can't here."

Severus nodded slowly, as if trying to process your words. "And what about us?" he asked quietly. "Where do we stand in all of this?"

"Us," you repeated, the word hanging heavy in the air. "I love you, Severus. That hasn't changed. But I need to do this for myself. I hope you can understand."

"Can we please have dinner tonight? All three of us? Please, I am literally begging you in the hallway right now," he whispered as a group of students passed by.

His plea caught you off guard, and for a moment, you saw a vulnerability in him that was rarely exposed. You reached out and gently touched his arm, feeling the tension beneath his skin.

"Alright," you said softly. "Dinner tonight. All three of us. Where at?"

A small, almost imperceptible smile tugged at the corners of Severus's mouth. "The club, of course. 7pm, I'll take the girls to grandmothers," he whispered. You just shook your head with a grin, "You are the worst, Headmaster," you giggled.