Unexpected Fate (Severus Snape x Reader)

𝟒𝟔 - 𝓕𝓪𝓬𝓲𝓷𝓰 𝓔𝓶𝓸𝓽𝓲𝓸𝓷

I picked at the skin on my finger, the sharp sting grounding me as my thoughts threatened to spiral. The parchment in front of me remained blank, my quill idle in my hand. No matter how much I tried to focus on the approaching school year, my mind kept circling back to Severus—to that night.

I hadn't seen him in weeks and wondered if he had left Hogwarts entirely, retreating to Spinner's End—a grim place that now loomed in my mind. What was he doing there? And what did his absence mean for us?

The days dragged on, filled with unanswered questions. Was I truly ready to forgive, or simply desperate for resolution? Perhaps his silence was deliberate—a shield against what lay ahead. The thought left me restless, knowing that sooner or later, our paths would cross again.

The memory was a constant hum at the edge of my thoughts: his strained voice, the weight in his words, the vulnerability he had let slip before pulling away again. I set the quill down with a sigh, flexing my fingers. The preparations could wait; my mind was elsewhere.

As I made my way to the Great Hall, I encountered an unexpected figure. Dumbledore, usually a rare sight during the quieter periods before the school year began, was strolling down the corridor, his robes billowing gently behind him. His presence, both reassuring and imposing, brought a sudden halt to my thoughts.

"Ah, there you are," Albus said warmly, his blue eyes twinkling with a mix of concern and kindness. "I was hoping to see you before the term starts."

I forced a smile, trying to mask the tumultuous emotions churning within me. "Hello, Albus."

He paused, his gaze softening as he took in my expression. "How are you holding up? I heard the news about your father's death and the circumstances surrounding it. I must say, it has been quite the topic of discussion."

I blinked, stunned. "You heard about it?"

"Yes," Albus replied gently. "The Daily Prophet reported on it. It seems the story has become rather sensational. I'm deeply sorry for your loss. I can only imagine how difficult this time must be for you."

A chill swept through me as his words sank in. The Daily Prophet? My father's death—sensational? My stomach churned with a mix of anger and dread. What exactly had they printed? And what damage might it have done to my name? The thought clawed at me, the fear of scandal and whispers already gnawing at the edges of my mind.

"I... I didn't realize the Prophet would stoop to that," I said, barely able to keep the bitterness from my voice. "I'll have to find out what they've written. I can't have my name—" I stopped myself short, forcing my voice into a steadier tone. "I just need to make sure the truth hasn't been twisted."

Albus's expression grew more serious, though his tone remained gentle. "I understand your concern. The press can be both intrusive and careless in times like these. If you need help addressing any misinformation, you need only ask."

I hesitated, guilt flickering through me. "Thank you," I said quietly. "But to be honest, my father... he was already gone to me long before this. His death is difficult, yes, but not in the way it might seem." I looked down, my voice lowering. "The man he was—he wasn't a father to me. Not in the way that matters."

Albus nodded slowly, his gaze filled with understanding. "Sometimes the loss we feel isn't for the person, but for the relationship we wished we'd had with them. And yet, even in those cases, grief can be a complex and heavy thing."

I swallowed hard, unsure how to respond. A pang of guilt struck me as I thought about the truth I wasn't sharing. Severus's involvement in my father's demise was a dark secret I couldn't yet bring myself to disclose.