It was a stupid idea. I'd never even really seen photos of Spinner's end, I had had no idea where I was going but I'd had to leave. This wasn't something that a bit of Ma's cooking could solve, this was something I needed Severus for. All I had to go by was a few dreamy descriptions Severus had given when I could finally wrangle him into talking about his home.
I hadn't landed outside a house but in a small forest. I could hear the rush of cars and followed my ears to a small road where a car was struggling up a small hill. It was so…grey. The buildings had once belonged to the families of the textile workers that had worked in the nearby factories and smog seemed to have adhered itself to every surface. Even the smattering of snow covering the ground had a greyish tinge. I wasn't dressed for the weather and so popped the lid on my trunk, grabbing a thick knit scarf and my duffel coat from the mixture of clothing sprayed across my books and parchment.
I knew the house had a black door and was on the end of the street so that narrowed it down to four houses. As I dragged my trunk past the first house on the street on the left side of the road I saw it had a brown door, as did the house opposite on the right side of the road. This narrowed it somewhat down to just the houses at the other end of the street. This wouldn't have been such a problem if it hadn't begun to snow, lugging a trunk to the other end of the street would not be an easy feet. This was made worse by the fact it was still early morning so the sky was black, with only the moon to guide my way; most of the street lights lining the street were broken or unlit. I was tempted to light my wand but the street was so narrow I was certain someone waking early for work would peer through a curtain and spot me.
I struggled on to the end of the road, my hands now numb and blistered from pulling the heavy trunk through the layer of snow now coating the path. When I reached the last house on the left I was relieved to see it had a black door and even more relieved when peering over to the right side of the road where a brown door stood. I attempted to pat the snow out of my hair but remained too nervous to knock the door. I paced for what seemed like a lifetime before I finally stood with my hand on the serpent shaped knocker. I couldn't help but snigger at its relevance. I checked my watch one last time to make sure it was a reasonable time but it was still only six fifteen. I could wait no longer and I could feel the icy melted snow seeping through the toes of my boots.
I knocked twice, gently, too afraid I was going to wake the neighbours. I didn't know what I was expecting. No response? No. I knew he'd be here; I could feel him. I waited another few minutes before raising the knocker again but as I did a dark shadow filled the glass pane in the door.
It clicked open quietly after the gentle clunk of several locks being removed to reveal Severus; his hair sticking at strange angles, the strands at the back tucked into his dressing gown which was tied tightly around his waist. Sleep still clouded his eyes but when he saw me stood shivering beneath him realisation struck and he enveloped me in his warm arms. That's when I knew; I was finally home.