Title: Astronomy
Rating: K
Pairing(s)/Character(s): Aurora Sinistra/Severus Snape
Warnings: None
Disclaimer: Don't own 'em - not making any money off 'em. Dern it.
Word Count: 442
Summary: Why did Professor Sinistra decide to teach Astronomy?
Notes:
Hogwarts School of Witchcraft & Wizardry: June Event - Level 3 (Hard) - Aurora Sinistra
Famous Witches and Wizard Card Game Challenge: Prompts Used - Romance theme, bewitching
Minor Character Bingo Card Challenge: Character Used - Aurora Sinistra
356 Days of Drabbles Challenge: Prompt Used – Insomnia
Aurora knew she wanted to be a professor while she was at school. The real question was what kind of professor would she be? She was exceptional in almost every class she did her NEWT year. She got 5 out of 6 O's on her NEWTs, and the sixth one she got an A.
She had options. Many options. She played with the idea of becoming a Potions Mistress but ultimately decided against it, knowing she'd never beat Severus Snape in that field. She also thought about being a healer as she had the required NEWTs to get into the training, but she knew she didn't have the patience or bedside manner for it. She was often called the female Snape even if she wasn't as bad as her male counterpart.
Finally, her chronic insomnia made the decision for her. If she couldn't sleep at night anyways, what better field was there for her then Astronomy? If she was going to be up and about, she might as well be stargazing and teaching student about it.
Thankfully, she was as proficient in that class as she was in the others. As soon as she graduated, she started learning under the current Astronomy Professor and within a couple of years, she was ready to teach her own classes.
She and Severus didn't associate much. They were cordial. Despite how much younger she was, both of them had been Slytherins so they respected each other.
When Severus began coming out at midnight and watching the stars with her, Aurora was surprised, but she didn't mind his company so kept her mouth shut about it.
One night, about a month after Severus started spending time with her, she finally broke her resolve to not talk to him and asked, "Do you have trouble sleeping too?"
Severus nodded. She didn't think he would elaborate, but he surprised her when he stated simply, "Nightmares."
Aurora didn't ask about what he saw when he slept, knowing it would be painful.
Their easy companionship turned into an easy friendship, one that didn't need words. And that friendship somehow turned into even more for Aurora.
She feared it was one-sided but was relieved when Severus stated monotonously, "You are absolutely bewitching. I never thought I'd love again. Not until I met you."
It wasn't a declaration of undying love, but she knew how hard words were for him, so it meant so much that he said what little he did. "I never thought I'd fall in love either."
They grasped hands, both feared the new relationship, but neither of them was willing to back down.
They'd figure it out together.