A/N: Severus has a relationship with the barmaid of the Three Broomsticks. A five-shot/drabble collection of Severus/Rosmerta. Name taken from the ship name on FictionAlley.
Submission for:
The 5 Drabbles Competition: Round 4 - Snape/Rosmerta. Prompt - "Artificial Sweetener" by No Doubt
In all his wildest dreams, he never thought he'd be moving through the dark trying to find his discarded robes in the wee hours of the morning. Well, he had dreamt it once or twice, but it had been with another woman, with hair of darkest red and eyes of brilliant green. It wasn't supposed to be the barmaid of the most popular tavern in Hogsmeade.
This was only supposed to be a one time thing, a mistake from drinking a few too many "butterbeers" on a teacher's salary. He had spilled his heart out to the pretty woman tending the counter, with flaxen hair and rosy cheeks. She kept them coming, listening to all his woes as her ample bosom became more and more appealing. Somehow, that had led to an invitation, missing clothes and an embarrassed exit the following morning.
But tonight he had been in his right mind, tonight had been intentional. Tonight, he had sat at the bar and she had asked him to come back after closing. Despite his mind telling him not to, to tell her that he shouldn't have the first time, his mouth agreed to a second time.
He turned as the sheets behind him rustled. Her eyes locked with his, filled with tired curiosity. She knew he had to get back to the castle before breakfast, or others would ask questions that would be difficult to answer.
Like this one, "Will you come back?"
He turned away, buying time as he pulled on his long black robes before he walked back to the bed. He kneeled at her side, the sheets clinging to her naked form beneath. This would be the perfect time to tell her no, this was it, the end, and while it was great, it wasn't meant to be.
But he leaned forward and placed a kiss on her lips, tasting the sweet taste of cider and alcohol that always lingered there, before he said, "Sure."
"I love you," she whispered.
"I love you too," he forced out as he exited her room.