Unexpected Fate (Severus Snape x Reader)

𝟕𝟕 - 𝓑𝓮𝓼𝓲𝓭𝓮 𝓜𝓮

The dust in the air seemed to settle as the chaotic sounds of battle faded into an eerie quiet. The Great Hall, once filled with the deafening crackle of spells and cries of pain, now felt almost surreal. The tension was still thick, but there was a change in the atmosphere.

Some students and members of the Order began tending to the wounded, hands shaking but determined. A few started clearing debris from the hall, moving large stones aside to make way for those still struggling to recover. Others were gathered in small groups, exchanging brief words of relief, smiles of disbelief slowly creeping onto their faces.

It was a strange kind of relief—a collective exhale. The fighting had ceased, the danger seemingly over. For the first time in what felt like forever, people allowed themselves to breathe, to talk in hushed voices. But no one dared to celebrate. Not yet.

A few shuffling footsteps echoed through the hall as people began to regroup, trying to find some semblance of order after the storm.

Severus had been standing a few steps away from me, his stance still tense, but I could see how the relief weighed on him. His gaze swept the room, as if searching for something, or perhaps someone.

I could feel the growing sense of unease in the room, even as it seemed like the battle was over. Everyone was looking around, wondering what came next.

And then, with a soft gasp, Molly Weasley spotted him.

I turned just in time to see her eyes narrow, her expression hardening as she focused on Severus.

"What is he doing here?!" she shouted, her voice cutting through the sudden stillness. Her words were sharp, full of a fury I had not expected after everything that had happened.

I saw Severus stiffen beside me. His hand twitched as though he was preparing for something, but he didn't speak.

"Molly, don't," I started, but she was already moving, raising her wand in fury.

"That Death Eater—he should be bound. Questioned. Before he disappears like the rest of them!" she declared, her voice dripping with disdain.

"No!" I gasped, stepping instinctively in front of Severus, blocking her path. I could feel my heart racing, panic rising in my chest.

"Someone restrain him—now!" Molly continued, her voice hardening, her wand crackling with an ominous energy. The air around us seemed to thicken, the room tensing as people turned to watch.

Before I could react further, a sharp, familiar voice rang out across the room.

"Stop it!" Harry's voice was firm, cutting through the tension like a blade.

I felt every set of eyes turn to him. The room went silent. The fight, the fear, the uncertainty—all of it was momentarily suspended in the air as Harry stepped forward, his gaze steady and unwavering.

The room fell silent, waiting.

It wasn't a command. It was more than that. It was the truth.

Harry's voice remained firm. "You don't understand," he said, his gaze sweeping the room, locking with every person present. "Professor Snape didn't just fight against us. He fought for us."

There was an uneasy pause, people shifting in place, exchanging confused glances.

He continued, undeterred by their disbelief. "He was working for Dumbledore. All this time, he was on our side, pretending to be a spy for Voldemort, but he was actually feeding us information, protecting us. Everything you've heard about him, everything you've seen—it was all a lie. The truth is... Snape was protecting all of us, and he paid the price for it. He's the reason we made it this far."