Silent Treatment - Severus Snape x OC

thirty-one

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‹ MiraaChe ‹ has posted a new chapter!- ͙۪۪̥˚

┊❛ welcome to chapter thirty-one❜┊˚ ͙۪۪̥◌

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The small hideout was dimly lit by a flickering lantern, casting long shadows across the walls as the three of them sat at a makeshift table. The tension in the room was thick, and the atmosphere was far from comfortable. Sirius and Severus sat on opposite sides of the table, their mutual dislike palpable as they avoided each other's gaze.

Ariana sat between them, her eyes flicking back and forth between the two men as she rambled on about their plan for the upcoming confrontation with Bellatrix and the Death Eaters. Her hands gestured wildly as she spoke, but she couldn't help but notice how awkward the air had become with both men sharing the same space.

"So," she said, a smirk tugging at the corners of her lips, "this is cozy, isn't it? Like some bizarre family reunion."

Sirius shot her a sidelong glance, his lips curling in distaste. "If I'd known Snivellus was going to be part of this, I would've brought something stronger than tea."

Severus raised an eyebrow, his voice cold as ever. "Trust me, Black. Your presence is equally unwelcome."

Ariana couldn't help but snicker, leaning back in her chair with a mischievous grin. "Honestly... Can you at least pretend to get along for five minutes? For me?"

Both men exchanged glares, neither one willing to make the first move.

Sirius huffed. "I'm only here because of Bellatrix."

Severus crossed his arms, his expression unmoved. 

Ariana sighed dramatically, tossing a crumpled bit of parchment at Sirius. "Lighten up, you two. This is teamwork. Don't you feel the camaraderie?" She wiggled her fingers mockingly in the air. "All this bonding and brotherhood?"

Sirius caught the parchment with a lazy flick of his hand and rolled his eyes. "Oh, yes. I'm sure Snivellus and I will be the best of friends by the end of this."

Severus gave him a withering look, his patience clearly running thin. "Your optimism is as grating as ever."

Ariana snorted, her grin widening as she leaned toward them. "Come on, guys. What's wrong with a little professional rivalry? After all, you're both such stellar examples of maturity and restraint."

Severus shot her a deadpan look. "If you're going to make jokes, Ariana, at least try to make them clever."

Sirius chuckled under his breath. "Looks like Snape's still allergic to humor."

Ariana rolled her eyes but couldn't stop laughing. "I'm just saying... Sirius, if you got along with Severus, maybe you wouldn't have ended up in Azkaban."

Sirius sputtered, giving her a mock-offended look. "Excuse me? I was framed, thank you very much."

Ariana threw her hands up in mock surrender. "Of course you were. But still, you did manage to break out of Azkaban after getting some help."

Sirius glanced at Severus with a sneer. "It's not like I'd take advice from him."

Before Severus could retort, Ariana held up a hand. "Alright, alright. No need to duel in the hideout." She grinned, looking between them. "Besides, I've got a much better team-up in mind for you two. I mean, just think of the headlines: The Gryffindor and the Slytherin, united at last."

Sirius groaned. "This is unbearable."

Severus' lip twitched, but he said nothing.

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That night, after all the planning and bickering had subsided, Sirius volunteered to stand guard outside, his dog form keeping a silent watch over the hideout. Inside, the air was calmer, the tension between Ariana and Severus much different from what it had been earlier.

Ariana lay on the makeshift bed they had pieced together from blankets and pillows, her body nestled against Severus' chest. His arms were wrapped around her protectively, holding her close as if he was afraid to let her go. The warmth of his body against hers was comforting, a safety she hadn't allowed herself to feel in weeks.

Severus' grip tightened slightly as he whispered, his breath warm against her hair. "I'm not letting you run off again."

Ariana tilted her head up to look at him, her lips curving into a teasing smile. "Not even if I promise to come back?"

He shook his head, his dark eyes filled with a mixture of exasperation and affection. "You can't make promises like that, Ariana. Not when your idea of returning involves getting yourself killed."

She pouted, her fingers tracing the line of his jaw as she whispered, "You're too serious sometimes, Sev."

His gaze softened as he cupped her face gently, his thumb brushing against her cheek. "I have to be. I almost lost you."

Ariana's teasing smile faltered, her expression turning more vulnerable as she leaned into his touch. "I didn't mean to scare you," she admitted quietly. "But you have to understand... I can't just sit by and do nothing."

Severus sighed, resting his forehead against hers. "I know. But I can't lose you. Not like this."

For a moment, there was only the sound of their breathing, the closeness between them quiet and intimate. Ariana's heart swelled with emotion as she stared into his eyes, feeling the depth of his feelings for her. She hadn't expected to fall for him like this, hadn't expected to find something so real in the midst of all the chaos.

With a playful smirk, she pursed her lips and teased, "You know, Sev... one kiss ages ago just isn't enough."

Severus raised an eyebrow, his lips twitching in amusement. 

"Mmmhmm." Ariana nodded, her pout deepening. "I mean, it's just not fair, really. You've been holding out on me."

Severus' eyes darkened with amusement as he leaned in, his voice low and teasing. "You think I'm holding out?"

Ariana's heart raced, and she opened her mouth to respond, but before she could say anything, Severus closed the distance between them, capturing her lips in a deep, slow kiss. The warmth of his lips sent a shockwave through her, leaving her breathless and completely caught off guard. It wasn't rushed or frantic—it was deliberate, filled with the passion and restraint he had been holding back for so long.

When he finally pulled away, Ariana was speechless, her cheeks flushed, her breath coming in short gasps. She blinked up at him, her lips still tingling from the kiss.

Severus smirked, clearly pleased with himself. "I suppose that's one way to stop your teasing."

Ariana stared at him, her usual quick wit failing her as she tried to form a coherent thought. "I—um..."

He chuckled softly, pressing another brief kiss to her forehead. "Speechless? Wouldn't be the first time."

Ariana's face reddened further as she buried her head in his chest, mumbling, "That's cheating."

Severus's laugh was soft, a rare sound that sent a warmth spreading through her chest. He tightened his arms around her, resting his chin on top of her head. "You're impossible."

Ariana grinned against his chest, her fingers clutching his shirt. "And yet you still love me."

Severus closed his eyes, a soft sigh escaping him as he held her close. "More than you know."