Chapter Twelve: Confused Love
It was a very long Thursday for Reign. She knew she had to leave in order to stay alive, but her admiration for Severus had torn her. She wanted so desperately to stay; if only they had concentrated a little harder, or that potion hadn't blown up in her face, or if she had said three weeks instead of two. Despite her feelings for the potions master, she knew what she had to do. Besides, she wasn't exactly sure if he felt the same for her. During potions that day he hadn't even glanced at her, less talk to her. She was confused, and her face showed it as she walked through the corridor to her next class. It was a cold day in early December. Christmas was near, but it seemed so far away for the students at Hogwarts. Reign's confusion turned into annoyance as she pushed her way through the underclassmen. Unbeknownst to the normal eye, a door she was about to pass stood slightly ajar. As she walked by, a pair of cold, pale hands took hold of her robes and pulled her inside the dark room.
"Latá nyèm!" she cursed as she stumbled to regain her footing. Her eyes were glowing; they lit up the small area in front of her face, and within it the face of Severus Snape. Seeing him made her relax a little--something other people do not normally do in his presence. "For Kor's sake, Severus, don't DO that ever again!"
He laughed at her threat. "I'm sorry. I just wanted to see you." Reign reminded him that she had a class with the man, and he had ceased to acknowledge her existence during that period. He looked concerned. "Yes, I know. But you know I have an image to uphold. I didn't want my feelings for you to get in the way of my teaching." He smiled as he put his arms around her waist. The castle didn't seem as cold in those arms.
"I understand." Reign sighed. She was lost in a dream world. Severus held onto her like he'd never let her go. Unfortunately, a little voice tried to reason with her. "Listen, Severus. We still haven't found an anti-potion yet, and remember what I said--"
"What? Reign, surely you can't be thinking of leaving now."
"I know. I don't want to leave. But I am jeopardizing my safety if I stay, not to mention everyone in this castle...including you."
"Yes, but--" Reign looked up into his eyes. She had never seen him like this--practically begging for her to stay, even if it meant death in the end for both of them. Nor had she ever seen such compassion. He looked back into her eyes--anxious, but also confused. He placed his hand on her cheek, and kissed her. They melted into each other; she fit perfectly with him. They took one another in--trying to remember everything about one another in case this was the last time they would be together. The feelings were indescribable; it was like nothing either of them had ever experienced. For Severus, he was kissing an elf--whose saliva had immense healing powers--and it was so overpowering that he was becoming weak in the knees. For Reign, she was kissing a human--and not just any human, but a powerful, sarcastic, and at the same time, in a weird way, romantic wizard--and she decided right then and there that she wanted to stay. Forever.
The kiss was over way too soon, but both of them had lost their breath in the moment. They smiled and looked at each other. Severus kissed her forehead where her injury was finally receding. Reign ran her fingers through his hair--soft and silky--and they embraced each other for an eternity. Finally, as if from another dimension, the bell rang. They were pulled from their happy world back to reality. Before Reign could break away, however, Severus kissed her again and whispered, "How do you say 'I love you'?" She pulled away and gazed into his eyes. They were no longer empty but filled with love. She stared into those deep eyes for a long time, but finally broke away from their spell. She picked up her books and bag that had fallen to the floor and reached up to grab the door handle. Before she could reach it, Severus had taken hold of her wrist and helped her up. He looked disheartened.
"I am in love with you, Reign," she was still too shocked to speak. "Am I to believe that you do not share the same feelings for me as I do for you, Miss Chambers?" He was back to acting like the dreaded Professor Snape.
"No, no. It's not like that..."
"Then do you love me?" he asked, moving closer to her. She could feel the passion between them, and longed to stay there with him and let the world carry on by itself.
"Yes, I do." He smiled--back to Severus again. She returned the gesture, and opened the door.
"Wait," he said, putting his hand up to stop the door from fully opening, "say that you love me."
"I told you. I do," she replied, avoiding having to say those exact words.
"You do what?" They both laughed, but it was obvious he wanted to hear her say,
"I love you." He kissed her again, and sent her on her way. As Reign walked down the empty hall, she looked behind her--at the billowing black robes of the man that she truly did love--and spoke softly, "El amor!"
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