The walk to the dungeons was sweet torture for Severus. No one had raised their hand to him in affection, real affection for many, many years. Taking his arm was so jarring to him that when you asked him to walk you to the dungeons, he could not utter the words stuck in his throat, so he had nodded in confirmation and headed off.

Severus was all too aware of you leaning into his side as you walked down the dark corridors of Hogwarts. The ebb and flow of your body against his own brought with it the push and pull of his thoughts. What a night for all of this to happen he thought. He would usually lock himself in his room after escaping the feast early, to mourn. Mourn the woman who he had loved. The woman he had failed.

Now you were here and you found comfort in him. You had said it yourself, you were not afraid of him, and over the past few weeks, he had realised that he did not want to be frightening to you. That fear was actually the last thing he wanted you to feel when you saw him. But these were uncertain times, he knew it, he could feel it, so he would fight against the ever-growing pull towards you. When he couldn't, he would try to fake disinterest but all too often you would unknowingly break that down, and he would be caught in a flirtation or a look that lingered too long.

He realised he was scared. Of many things now. He had resigned that his life would be lived alone, that he would carry out his duty, the one set out this fateful night all those years ago and that would be it. Now you were here and he found comfort in you. A comfort he was sure he didn't deserve but one he was now very afraid of losing. He did not want to fail you too.

Severus didn't talk on the way down to the dungeons. You could sense something heavy on his mind and didn't want to interrupt, so you thought too. Thought about Hogwarts. Thought about the warning. Thought about the man next to you. Looking back, he was always there, whether that was putting Lockhart in his place or standing by your side tonight, Severus always seemed to be there when you needed support. He wasn't always the best at it, not close, but he tried and you found that a great comfort.

You weren't sure if it was the familiar chill of fear that had firmly set in your stomach or the isolation that the dungeons brought but you didn't want to be alone tonight. You didn't want to let him go, but stepping ever closer to your room you knew you would have to. Both of you seemed to hesitate as you made it down the staircase that led to your quarters. You could be brave again, he hadn't dismissed you earlier when you touched him, maybe he'd come in for a drink, maybe even a few drinks.

He cleared his throat, it was time to call it a night, you supposed. The dungeons were dark, the light flicking from the lamps just about lit Severus' even darker figure, his pale face looked lost.

"Thank you, Severus." You began unlacing your arm to turn towards your door when he caught your wrist gently. Your heart felt like it might drown.

"I don't know about you but I don't feel much like sleeping.." you felt your lips part and a small breath leave your chest, - "..would you like to join me for a drink? I dare say we both deserve it after tonight."

You weren't sure what to concentrate on. His voice, the touch of his hand on your wrist, the closeness of his body to yours, or his distinct scent which, at this very moment, you found intoxicating.

"y/n?" The concern in his voice was evident and you snapped yourself out of his potion-scented trance.

"Mmm, erm, yeah, a drink. That'd be great." Pull yourself together, woman.

So on you walked, past your door and to Severus' quarters. He unlocked his door and stepped aside for you to enter first, taking out his wand as he followed you in, he lit the candles that were darted around the room.

Severus looked docile as you looked around. As if he was embarrassed. It wasn't too bad, as you had discovered yourself, a dungeon will always look and feel like a dungeon. A lot of this room was taken up with a desk and shelves of books. They looked old and well-read. You noticed some odd-looking jars laying around, full of, well actually you didn't care to guess. They at least weren't used often as they had a healthy layer of dust covering them.

With a flick of his wand, he lit a fire. By his fire, there was a small, worn leather sofa, a fabric reading chair, and a dark wooden table.

"Do you mind if I take a look?" You asked, pointing to his bookshelf.

"Feel free," he replied, - "whiskey?"

"Please." you smiled and headed over to the shelf. The mustiness hit your nose, the mingling of old paper, leather, and ink. You skimmed over a few that you would be interested in reading and others that you had never heard of.

He stood next to you and offered you a glass, you took it and smiled. He smiled back and took a sip from his own glass.

"See anything interesting?" He enquired.

Your eyes scanned his tall figure. Definitely.

"Some of these are beautiful." You ran your finger over one that had particularly grabbed your attention.

"You may borrow what you like." You thought back to one of your first conversations, how he had warned you about missing potions. The tides do change, you thought, as you took a long sip of your whiskey. It didn't burn so much anymore, you had taken to having a glass at night in the week when you marked, your throat now accustomed to the warmth of the amber liquid.

"Don't say that, I'll be in here all the time," you joked. Though he didn't seem to find it funny, he just looked at you, his usual intensity simmering behind his black eyes. His thumb stroked at the side of his glass and you wondered what it would be like to feel that on your cheek, the thought brought heat to your face and as you delved deeper into him, you couldn't help but glance at his lips. You knew he watched, but honestly, you didn't care. You were attracted to him and there was no shame in that.

"More?" He was edging his hand towards your glass

"Yes please." Liquid courage can't hurt.

You headed for the sofa and sat down, it was aged and the leather was cold from the dungeon air but it was soft from its years of use. You bedded down into it, making yourself comfortable, you may as well if you're having another drink.

The seat next to you sank from Severus' weight and he put both glasses on the table, "make yourself at home," he said with a slightly amused lilt.

"Sorry, am I taking up too much space?" You said as tried to shuffle into the corner some more.

He scoffed, "Hardly," and his hand landed on your thigh to stop your moving; it sent a shockwave up your leg. He looked shocked at his own action and went to pull his hand away but you clasped yours over his wrist before he could. Your heart was racing and the thundering of your pulse blared in your ears.

Severus' pupils had dilated to pure darkness and his mouth was slightly parted. As you guided his hand further up the outside of your thigh and over the swell of your hip you both let out shaky breaths. You didn't break eye contact for the fear of him pulling away.

You carefully took your hand away from his wrist and placed it on his chest, lightly locating his collarbone under your fingertips. You rubbed at the fabric of his jacket and in turn, he stroked small circles at your waist. "What are we doing, y/n?" His voice was a heavy whisper of anticipation and lust. He looked at your mouth and swallowed hard.

"Stop thinking." you breathed out as you took his plump bottom lip between your own, his hand tightening at your waist. He reciprocated slowly, his nose brushing yours as he tilted his head towards you ever so slightly.

Your head felt light and the soft brushes of his lips against yours made them tingle for more. You ran your hand into his hair, pulling him in closer and he lapped at your bottom lip with his tongue. Allowing him entrance, your tongue danced with his softly and you couldn't help the moan that escaped your throat. His taste pulled you in deeper and deeper.

Severus' hand was softly kneading at the skin of your hips and waist as if it was burning to move and you wanted him to. You were pulling him closer and leaning back into the chair when he pulled away but stayed within an inch of your lips, "We should stop." The lust in his voice didn't match his words.

"Should we?" You asked, breathy and wanting. You pecked at his lips and he kissed back but then pulled back further. The look of disappointment must have been clear on your face, he took your hand and kissed your knuckles. A reassurance.

You sat back up and the tension broke inside of you. You laughed, a hearty laugh, and rested your forehead on his chest. He tentatively lifted his hand and rested it on the back of your head, rubbing carefully at your scalp.

"Should I be offended? He joked.

You lifted your head and looked at him, "Definitely not", you kissed his soft lips again, he breathed in deep and kissed you back.

This time you pulled back, removed your hands from Severus, and reached for your drink. He watched you finish it, you could tell he was unsure of what was going to happen now.

"I should get back to my own room," he looked disappointed, - "because if I stay, I don't think I'll be able to stop again"

He blushed and rubbed at his cheek, "I understand," he stood up and offered his hand. You used it to help you up and walked to the door.

If you didn't know he couldn't, you'd have thought he'd read your mind earlier as he stroked his thumb along your cheek and then pressed his lips to yours one last time, "Good night."

"Good night." You whispered back and left before it was too late.

He watched you walk down the corridor to your own room and held your gaze as you entered your chambers. On entering you immediately fell onto your bed face first and let out a frustrated groan.

You're well and truly in trouble.