Severus heard the whistle of the Hogwarts Express before it chugged into Hogsmeade station. He was tasked with escorting students to the carriages, a task he despised, he would much rather have a staring contest with a Cockatrice or go for a swim with a Kelpie.
"You're thinking of all the things you'd rather be doing, aren't you?"
Cassie's hand slipped into his own behind his back, away from the eyes of the students pouring out of the carriages.
"I don't like that you can read me so well," he replied out of the corner of his mouth.
"It's not hard when it's written all over your face," she laughed.
"Is it just me... or are they all staring at me," Severus grumbled, stroking self-consciously at the beard on his face.
"I think it makes you look... distinguished."
Severus squinted at Cassie, "You think I look distinguished?"
"Sure, very handsome," she winked.
Severus didn't return the wink, he was focused on the last few students stepping off the train.
"Something is wrong," he exclaimed, letting go of Cassie's hand and walking towards the train, looking in each of the carriages.
"What is it?" Cassie called, trailing behind him.
Severus reached the last carriage, pressing his face up against the glass, he turned to Cassie on the now empty platform, "Where's Harry? Did you see him?"
"No, I didn't. Perhaps we just missed him. You don't think something happened to him?"
"This is Potter we're talking about, if there's trouble, then he's managed to find it," Severus replied dryly.
Severus strode through the main entrance with the last students from the carriages, he had sent Cassie in the first carriage to see if they had indeed just missed Potter. She was already stood at the top of the staircase in the entrance hall, her expression was grave as she shook her head. Severus moved to run up the stairs, but his path was blocked by a shorter, blonde-haired man who flicked his hair out of his face as he extended a hand towards Severus.
"Professor Snape! I am Gilderoy Lockhart, it's a pleasure to meet you," he said with a wide-mouthed grin on his face.
Snape looked the man up and down before attempting to move around him, "I don't have time for pleasantries," he grumbled, taking a few more steps towards the staircase.
"Yes, yes. I understand, first day of term... lots to do. I'll catch you later," Lockhart called after him, his big smile didn't fade.
"Not if I can help it," Severus mumbled under his breath.
Cassie stood silently, her hands clasped tightly together.
"No sign of him?" Severus asked.
"None at all, or his friend Ron. Miss Granger arrived safely though. She has no idea why they're not here."
"Are we sure she's not covering for them?"
"I don't think so, she seemed just as concerned as we are."
"Don't let her out of your sight. When it comes to those three, they're as thick as thieves."
"Be reasonable, Severus. I'm sure there's a very good reason for Mr Potter and Mr Weasley being late."
"Professor Snape! Professor Snape!" Filch came running out of a corridor towards him, Mrs Norris in one hand and a copy of The Evening Prophet in the other. He waved it about so wildly, that Severus couldn't see the front page.
"I thought... you ought... to see this," he continued, drawing deep breaths whilst thrusting the newspaper under Snape's nose.
Severus took the newspaper, his eyes narrowing with anger as he read the headline.
Flying Ford Anglia Mystifies Muggles
"Be reasonable, hmm?" he raised an eyebrow at Cassie and passed her the newspaper.
"Oh my."
"Oh my, indeed. Filch, when they arrive, I want those two delinquents brought right to my office."
"Of course, Professor," Filch replied with a hint of glee in his voice.
Severus took off towards the Potions classroom with great strides, Cassie had to almost run to keep up.
"But, Severus. What about the feast?"
"You may go without me, I want to be here to deal with Mr Potter and Mr Weasley. They are in a world of trouble."
"Severus! Stop!"
He whirled around to glare at Cassie, "Go, enjoy the feast. Clap for Dumbledore's speech, cheer for the students as they're sorted. But... do not expect me to join you."
"Why is this so important to you? Why can't you let another teacher handle this?"
"Because!... because I swore I'd keep him safe, I made a promise. He's the only thing left of Lily in this world, and he constantly flouts the rules and gets himself into trouble. He's a nuisance, he's just like his father, and I don't want him at this school anymore."
"So, get him expelled and it's not your problem anymore, is that right?"
"Right."
"And what if something happens to him while he's no longer under the protection of Hogwarts? Severus, you'd never forgive yourself," Cassie placed a soft hand on the side of his face.
Severus sighed, "Why do you have to be right?"
Cassie gave him an understanding smile, "I'll wait with you, we can eat later."
He simply nodded and they continued walking to his office.
Severus paced his office, he glanced at Cassie a few times as she sat in his large leather chair, her feet were pulled up beneath her and she had a large Potions tome in her lap. Her lips moved slightly as she read the book silently, one finger twirled in her hair. He contemplated sweeping her up off the chair and carrying her off to his room, which was now their room, as Albus had gleefully arranged for a double bed and extra furniture to accommodate Cassie.
Before he could give in to his urges, Filch appeared in the doorway of the office. After a brief explanation of what had happened to the two missing students, they were ushered into his office. Severus adopted a sombre expression to greet the two miscreants, and judging by the looks on their faces, it was working.
He held up the newspaper, "You were seen! By no less than 7 muggles!"
Potter and Weasley gulped in unison.
"Do you have any idea how serious this is? You have risked the exposure of our world! Not to mention the damage you inflicted on a Whomping Willow, that has been on these ground since before you were born."
"Honestly, Professor Snape, I think it did more damage to us," the red haired boy spoke up.
"Silence!" Severus spat, jumping up from his seat and creeping towards the two trembling students, "I assure you, that were you in Slytherin and your fate rested with me, the both of you would be on the train home, tonight! As it is-"
"They are not," Albus interrupted from the doorway.
Severus knew that he no longer had control of the situation, and despite his protestations, the two boys were let off with detention as their only punishment. He seethed quietly once they'd left the office, Albus's lack of concern was infuriating.
"Are you ok?" Cassie asked softly, she hadn't moved from her seat.
"No... but I will be. Just who does Albus think he is? Are we no longer following rules in this school?"
"They have suffered enough already, don't you think? Cut off from the train, travelling all the way here in a flying car, and to top it all off, a frightening encounter with the Whomping Willow. I think the fear of being brought before you is enough punishment, they meant no harm," Cassie explained, trying to assuage his anger.
"That's not the point, and you know it," he countered, pulling her up from her chair and into his arms.
"Sometimes, I think you're so blinded by hatred that you refuse to see anything else," she murmured against his chest.
"I see you."
His hand rested on the back of her head, holding her as close to himself as he possibly could. Cassie let out a soft sigh that vibrated through his chest.
"Come to bed," he urged, stepping backwards in the direction of their quarters.
"What about the feast?"
"I'm sure they won't miss our presence there."
Cassie smiled and raised an eyebrow, "You're quite the scoundrel yourself... sometimes."
"If you ever refer to me as a scoundrel again, I shall turf you out of Hogwarts myself," Severus scolded playfully.
"You wouldn't," she goaded.
"Try me," he drawled, his voice low and husky.
He stepped back further, pulling at Cassie to follow. They were interrupted by the sound of someone gently clearing their throat and Severus looked up at the doorway and rolled his eyes at the sight of Albus.
"Headmaster, did you forget something?" he said through gritted teeth.
"Well, I noticed that you and the lovely Miss Cobbe were not directly behind Minerva and myself. Surely you weren't thinking of skipping the start of term feast?" Albus enquired with a knowing expression.
Severus opened his mouth protest, but Cassie got there first, "Of course not, Headmaster. We were just discussing tomorrow's lesson."
"How very diligent, Miss Cobbe. But come now, don't miss the festivities."
Snape dug his fingernails into the palm of his hand. Of course, Albus would poke his nose into his relationship with Cassie. The old man probably thought he deserved a thank you for thrusting Cassie into his life, further meddling was inevitable.
"Come now, the sorting has ended but there is still plenty of food left," Albus beckoned them.
Severus gave a heavy sigh that Cassie responded to with a sympathetic smile.
"I am rather hungry," she said.
"Fine, we can eat first. But... I will not be hanging around for small talk."
"I'm rather interested in speaking to Mr Lockhart, he must have some very interesting stories."
Severus glowered at Cassie, "I believe that the only thing that man loves more than himself, is the attention he gets from his ridiculous claims."
"Surely, you're not jealous, Severus?"
Severus snorted, "For that to be true, he'd have to possess something for me to be jealous of."
He felt her glance sideways at him, as though she had more to say. But whatever was on her mind, she kept locked away in there, remaining silent as they approached the great hall.
The feast had been as torturous as Severus had expected. The students chattered loudly about the new Defence Against the Dark Arts teaches, all of them casting glances at Severus, for they all knew that he desired the job. At the teacher's table, Lockhart was regaling a small group of Professors that had gathered around him, with preposterous tales of his heroics. Severus pushed a small piece of chicken pie around his plate with one hand, while the other hand was clenched tightly into a fist by his side. The weight of Cassie's hand on his shoulder was a welcome distraction from his thoughts.
"Are you ok?" she whispered in his ear.
He patted at her hand in response, although he was wary that a public gesture would set tongues wagging in the school, not that the students didn't already have their suspicions. Perhaps it was time for him to stop pretending that he didn't have a life beyond his work as a professor, it would be unfair to Cassie to keep her hidden away.
Cassie walked away from him, her hand pulling away from his shoulder as she went to stand by Lockhart. The buffoon was waving his arms about as he was in the middle of another of his stories. As she got closer to the group, Severus saw him take an instant interest in her, his eyes fixed upon her. Severus gripped firmly at the goblet in his hand, until it threatened to buckle in his grasp.
Severus couldn't tear his eyes away, he watched Lockhart stop mid-story and take Cassie's hand, then he brought Cassie's hand to his mouth and held it there for a moment longer than was necessary. Snape banged his goblet down against the table, disturbing a few of the teachers and students in the process. He didn't hang around to watch any more, sneaking out through a door at the back of the grand hall and marching to his quarters.
Severus paced in front of his fireplace, occasionally stopping to tap his wand impatiently upon the mantle. She should have been back by now, a part of him wondered if she was still with that smug git.
You knew that it couldn't last. She said it herself, that she's interested in him.
His stomach twisted uncomfortably, he hated Lockhart, but he could see why Cassie might be attracted to him. The man was charismatic, successful, intelligent. Severus felt like a fool, an ill-tempered old fool who hid himself away in the shadows.
Why would she want to stay in the darkness with you?
The stone wall in his room slid open, in the dim light of the fire, he saw Cassie.
"Severus? Why did you go?" she asked.
"I wasn't very hungry, and you were talking to Lockhart," he replied curtly.
"Are you ok? Did I do something wrong?"
"No, not at all. I'm sure it's not wrong to go fawning over Gilderoy 'I'm better than everyone' Lockhart," Snape remarked, rolling his eyes.
"Oh my god, you are jealous, aren't you?" Cassie exclaimed, approaching Severus in front of the fire.
"Don't be absurd, I just dislike the man... intensely."
"For what it's worth, Severus, he's not at all as entertaining as I thought he would be. After a few stories, it's all pretty much the same thing. He lacks... depth."
"Oh, so it's depth you crave? And I suppose I'm a ravine in comparison?" he gestured to himself.
"Now you're just being foolish."
"Foolish and deep," he added sardonically.
"You know what? I'm going to let this go, because I know that you still doubt that I want to be with you. But, if you can't trust me, I won't stick around forever," she huffed, kicking off her shoes and heading to the bathroom.
Severus sighed, he knew that he was being unreasonable, he knew that Cassie was right. But there was a part of him that still expected her to realise she'd made a mistake.