The endless of darkness is hovering

The sound of the silence is deafening

Ten billion decibels shattering

Forces of gravity taking me, taking me

Weightlessness forsaking me

Ooh, this pull is astronomical

Ooh, this pull is astronomical

I'm drawn to the unknown where shadows hide

A slave to the powers that magnetize

There's something inside of me, I can't fight

Forces of gravity taking me, taking me

Weightlessness forsaking me

Ooh, this pull is astronomical

Astronomical by Svrcina

Severus was infuriated as he sat in the Great Hall on Valentine's Day morning. For Severus, this cheesy celebration that Lockhart had staged for Hogwarts took on such proportions that his nerves were finally overstrained. Not that we attached importance to this day, because we didn't need to be reminded of our love by a special day. I enjoyed every moment with him, now that this time was so limited, even more so. And when I lay silently in his arms, everything was irrelevant as long as he was my company. Well, except from his dark feelings about the things in Hogwarts.

"Then he actually says that I could brew a love potion for the students. Can you imagine?" Severus says angrily as I snuggled up to him under the covers. We were in each other's arms immediately after he had crossed the threshold, so that only now did he get around to sharing his exhausting day with me.

"Yes, I would have loved to see your face," I answer with a smile.

"Flitwick hid as soon as it was said that he was going to use love spells," Severus replied, frowning, but he couldn't suppress a mischievous grin.

"Flitwick? Oh, he must have been embarrassed." I could well imagine little Filius with a crimson face, shaking his head in disbelief at such a statement.

"Yes, that was obvious. If a student should dare to talk to me about love potions in the near future—"

"Don't worry, no one will dare. I'm sure of that," I giggle at the thought of it.

"What nonsense Lockhart puts into the heads of stupid children. What if they actually start distributing some now?" He shook his head in disgust.

"When does it start in your lessons? In the case of Slughorn, I think it was in the sixth grade."

"Yes, but I'm leaving this potion out of my class altogether. It's too dangerous. This chaos with pubescent snotty spoons. In any case, I gave the students a lot of homework to distract them from corresponding ideas. Potter's class is allowed to edit an essay on Hair-Raising Potion . Although, for most of them, it would probably be enough to simply look at their grades in that subject to have a similar effect."

I grin and snuggle up tighter to him. I remember that I, too, briefly thought a little bit about the use of such a love potion.

"I remember Alice having a love potion hidden in her Valentine's Day chocolates. She raved about Aaron Baddock instead of Frank the whole time until Lily and I had finished the counter potion," I said, thinking back to my old school days.

"Baddock, yes? He's always been a little bit peculiar." Severus raised his eyebrows in disgust.

"Even for a Slytherin?" I ask with a grin and turn sideways to Severus to get a better view of him.

"Love potions only lead to dependency and frenzy, not to true love," he said softly, looking at me seriously.

"I know that. Otherwise, I'm sure I would have given you one," I said with a giggle.

"Good thing it worked without it," he said mockingly and moved his body over me and he pushed me back into the sheets to kiss me.

"You know, you have something in common with this Lockhardt." Severus smiled when he told me this.

"What do you mean? Our good looks?" I replied mockingly, earning a big grin from the man above me.

"No, he's almost as good as you are at memory spells," he replied more seriously.

"Oh, that's interesting. Probably his only talent?"

"Obviously. Dumbledore has found out about him. He must pass off the experiences of others for his own, since they are apparently not invented. But he won't make that assumption public until the end of the school year, unless Lockhardt turns himself in."

"Until then, Hogwarts needs such an extremely talented teacher at Hogwarts," I replied, Severus humming briefly at the thought, his eyes looked evil.

"And we still haven't made any progress with this chamber. Even Dumbledore didn't find it, but he firmly believes that it must be somewhere. But the ice is getting thinner for him. I know that Lucius is planning his removal as headmaster. He has always been a thorn in the side of the former Death Eaters and now there is actually the opportunity for it," Severus said, his eyes becoming thoughtful.

"Without Dumbledore at Hogwarts? I think he's been headmaster for so long that no one knows what it's like without him anymore. A scary thought, isn't it? If the school falls into the wrong hands," I replied, gently running a finger over Severus' lips, which he had pressed into thin slits at the thought of a possible successor to Dumbledore.

"Lucius said he would be only too happy to support my application."

"As the new headmaster of Hogwarts?" I asked, my mouth open.

"I'm sure they'd like that: me as a puppet for the Malfoy family." We couldn't help but laugh about it.

"But you had a friendship with them before you entered the service of the Dark Lord, didn't you?"

"Lucius and Narcissa were already in fifth grade when we came to Hogwarts. Malfoy was a prefect and took us first graders under his supervision. Lent us his books from the Forbidden Department, told us about the Dark Lord and his power, about the great things he wants to do. From the very beginning, Narcissa was subject to his charm and, above all, to the prestige of his family. But they were both quite in love with each other, that impressed me and I longed for all that Lucius had. Parents who take care of him, care for his well-being, power, prestige and influence and a girlfriend who loves him. I therefore felt quite comfortable around them."

"And then?"

"After Malfoy joined the Dark Lord after graduating from high school, we continued to keep in touch. He recommended my talents to the Dark Lord and knew that I could be of great use. We spent many meetings with each other and trusted each other to the extent that they appointed me as godfather to their son Draco. Three months later, I heard the prophecy about a boy who would defeat the Dark Lord while spying on Dumbledore. After the Dark Lord interpreted it to mean Lily's son, I was purified in one fell swoop. I realized my delusion, my failure. When, despite my efforts, they ... I began to hate myself. I wanted to end my life. Something Lucius would never have understood. Only Dumbledore held me back in my duty to atone for my guilt."

"Severus, you never told me that. You wanted to die?" I ask, horrified. I took his face in my hands and stared into his, my eyes wide. He nodded briefly and disparagingly.

"My disgust for myself had reached its peak when you came back into my life. There you stood in front of me. You were so beautiful, so kind, so helpful. Just as I could remember you. You haven't changed. And I? I was still stupid, deluded, unworthy. I had to get your friendship back. That it was more than friendship that was in me all this time... I couldn't deny it any longer." He looked at me, his eyes sparkling.

"When did you first feel it?" I ask quietly, but full of emotion.

"When you filled out the test in the dungeon, I knew I had to tell you. I stood close behind you and inhaled your indescribable scent. I didn't know what was happening to me and I could hardly control myself. Was it even possible that you might have feelings for me too? But at the same time I thought that someone who loves me must be crazy. Then I disturbed and scared you off with my jealous questions about Lupin and Prewett But you, as always, have forgiven me so generously. When you came back to me in the dungeon, I was indescribably happy and I realized that I can no longer be without you. But I wasn't sure of your feelings. On Christmas Eve, I briefly thought that you almost kissed me. But I found this idea too far-fetched and suppressed it. When you fell in the snow, we touched. I was insecure and withdrew, wondering if and how to tell you that I... have strong feelings for you that go far beyond friendship. But I couldn't hold it back."

"Luckily you've got the courage, Severus!"

"But couldn't I have had it sooner? I could have seen my feelings for you when you came down the stairs to the dungeon to Slughorn's party next to Lily in your emerald cloak. Your eyes glittered and you looked beautiful. At the latest when you protected me from Potter and Black and when Lily turned away from me, I should have recognized it. And it didn't have to be the scent of your long hair that I noticed in the Amorentia near Slughorn in the sixth grade, when we had long since moved away from each other. You are the person who loves me with all your heart and without whom I can no longer be. I love you indescribably, Catherine. Always." As he spoke these words, small tears ran down my cheeks. He brushed it off my face with a grin, lifted my chin and kissed me deeply, and it seems to me that the whole world stops. Nothing revolves anymore through these significant words that fill my soul.

"After there were two new attacks on Muggle-borns, the Hogwarts Board of Governors had put Dumbledore on leave as headmaster and Fudge imprisoned the gamekeeper Hagrid in Azkaban," Severus said after I showered him with wild kisses after not having him with me for a few days.

"Two more attacks? But what should happen now? Without Dumbledore, Hogwarts is upside down for the time being." I said with bated breath.

"Minerva is the interim headmistress, but I doubt that Dumbledore will stay away from school for long. Lucius apparently blackmailed the members of the Hogwarts Board." Severus sneezed loudly.

"Cursed cold."

"Don't worry, I still have a potion against your cold here. You'll get it right away, but please tell me about the victims," I said nervously.

"Hermione Granger, Potter's sidekick and Penelope Clearwater, prefect from Ravenclaw. Both petrified. They were found along with a mirror. I was able to have a quick chat with Dumbledore before the Minister of Magic came to take Hagrid to Azkaban and he was deposed by the school board, but the headmaster seemed perplexed," Severus explained, shrugging his shoulders briefly.

"Did he seem perplexed or was he really?" I asked suspiciously.

"You're not insinuating that he knows which monster is hiding the chamber, are you?" he asked sharply, looking at me with a frown.

"How did the first victim die? Dumbledore should know that, right? He was the Professor of Transformation during this period. At least according to the book History of Hogwarts," I said, thinking.

"You've read the book?" Severus asked much more gently.

"Of course. I don't like not knowing something that is so easily accessible. I even found my own old copy. But it only said that a student had died. Nothing about the circumstances," I replied. Severus sneezed loudly again and pulled out an emerald green handkerchief with his initials embroidered in silver. I smiled as he blew his nose with it.

"Unfortunately, I don't remember, Dumbledore kept a low profile when it came to that. I doubt he knows what it is and where it is," Severus said, his voice now much more nasal.

I sighed and got up to look in my kitchen cupboards for the right potion. I found it quickly as I used it myself a few weeks ago. I went to the corner of the living room with the vessel, poured the green liquid into the cauldron and carefully adjusted the flames underneath.

"It needs to be warmed up again for 10 minutes, then you can drink it," I told Severus as I saw him looking over my shoulder behind me.

"Cold Remedy Potion?" Severus asked, looking at the swelling liquid.

"Frigus Remedium Potion.", I confirmed. "You must have smelled the ginger, didn't you?"

"Yes, but what is that ingredient you added. It looks... like pepper herb."

"It hides the effect of expelling the bacteria and viruses," I confirmed.

"And it takes away the side effect of the strong internal heat from the potion," Severus said, and there was appreciation in his voice.

"Right. You know, I had a classmate at school who encouraged me to break new ground and just try things that seemed logical to me, even if they weren't in the official instructions," I said, turning around and looking into his face, which had suddenly taken on gentle features and rose cheeks.

He leaned over to me to kiss me, but then suddenly stopped.

"I'd better take this potion before I infect you," he said gently, looking at his watch. I nodded and, with a ladle, lifted the green potion from the cauldron into a cup of silver and handed it to Severus.

With one gulp, he poured down the peppery liquid.

"Better than Pomfrey's nurturing potion. No ear problems," Severus said with a smile before I devoured him with my arms.

"We don't have much time left, today. For safety reasons, all students will only be allowed to move through the school corridors when accompanied by a teacher and all student activities outside the houses will be cancelled. The teachers and prefects are now patrolling the nights in pairs to prevent further attacks."

"Does that mean our nights will have to be cancelled?" I asked with a dry throat, but I knew that this was necessary to protect the students. "Who is your partner?"

"Charity Burbage, the Muggle studies Professor," Severus replied curtly.

"Oh, I found her very likeable, she was always very friendly to the students," I stated.

"Apparently she is spreading the rumor that Muggles are similar to magical humans and Muggle-born witches and wizards are equivalent to purebloods," he said quietly.

"Do you doubt it?" I asked, making eye contact.

"No. I know your abilities," Severus said gently.

"Then maybe you two should get together a little... "I said with a smile and watched as Severus grimaced in disgust.

"I don't need friends," he said disparagingly.

"Oh, Severus. Everyone needs friendships," I said, running my cheek lovingly, he grabbed my hand and brought it to his soft lips.

"I've got you, that's it," he said, and began to kiss my hand gently. He moved up my arm with his caresses and I closed my eyes to enjoy them.

Unfortunately, there were no nights together in the following weeks, as Severus, like all prefects and teachers, had to patrol the castle every night to protect the students from further attacks by the monster of Slytherin. Luckily, we had Tibi, who at least let us exchange messages.

Affectionately stroked the feather of Tibi on his back as I read the letter in my hand again which I had written. Only a few days left until the summer holidays. Only a few more days and the trouble at Hogwarts would be forgotten for a few weeks. In my lines I wrote about this time and tried to make it sound light-hearted.

But the heir to Slytherin hung in my thoughts, I decided not to send the letter until the next morning, as Severus was not supposed to read and answer it after his patrol. It was more important to me that he got some sleep in the few hours of the night.

So, I folded the letter and put it on the table. Tibi dutifully stretched out her leg, but I shook my head.

"Not until tomorrow, my little friend. I have a better idea," I whispered to the tawny owl and looked out into the moonlight through my window. A warm summer breeze slid through the open window. I glanced at the door, knowing what might distract me from the Slytherin heir if Severus wasn't available.

I slowly walked barefoot across the sand, slowly stepping my legs into the cool water, which lapped my calves in hard strokes.

Above me, Tibi flew his circles, looking for a night's meal, I kicked the waves with joy, laughed like a little child as the moonlight mirrored the open drops of water. I knew it was very late, but it didn't bother me, because I had my day off the next morning before I had to work for a few more days and then the summer holidays were coming up. Weeks of carelessness in the arms of Severus. The thought of it made me happy, confident, gave me the warmth I needed for the cool water. I called myself happy to call him mine. Severus Snape. My Severus.

I danced in the waves, only I heard the song. So, I turned in circles, laughing, the waves beating against my body, I closed my eyes, felt lost in the wide sea, but still so free.

Suddenly, a cold hand grabbed mine and pulled me to a warm body that wrapped around me from behind. I bent my head back, frightened, and looked into the dark eyes I loved so much and which made my heart and body dance like this.

"It's over, Catherine. The culprit has been caught. Everything's fine," Severus whispered and began to kiss my neck. We felt the surf crashing against our bodies. I looked up and saw twinkling stars casting their light on us. Us who were so ephemeral, how many before us had seen them here? In the game of forces, a game, like the waves that drove us rushed against our bodies, but we just rushed with them. In tune with the waves.

My summer dress was now transparent through the water and stuck tightly to my skin. His hands ran over my breasts, which erected bravely and hard under the cool breeze of the sea and his demanding touches.

Severus kissed my neck as he slid his hands over my hard nipples.

I leaned my head back and immediately felt his tongue in my mouth, demanding and willing to discover everything. Everything of me.

Another hand suddenly pushed my dress up and slid between my legs, gently stroking the bulge over my lace underpants.

I turned around, looked him in the eye and took him by the hands to pull him deeper into the water. Severus willingly allowed himself to be guided until only a part of our upper bodies protruded from the water.

I jumped on his hip and wrapped my legs around him. He held my butt in his hands and kissed me passionately. I closed my eyes, felt the water around us and the fire lit deep inside me.

The water enveloped our bodies and I felt Severus no longer being able to hold on to himself. His limb seemed tense to bursting.

"You are so breathtakingly beautiful..." he whispered, pushing a wet strand of hair out of my face. His hair was also completely soaked and stuck to him, framing his pale face in the moonlight.

I unzipped his pants and freed him from the tightness before pushing my underpants aside and navigating his stiff member into me.

He moaned as he penetrated my heated walls. I closed my eyes and leaned back, floating on the surface of the water. I felt weightless, my hair seemed to float on the surface of the water.

Already I felt his gentle and slow thrusts, which were slowed down by the water. But it felt like pleasure, like slowing down, like unity.

We were lying on my cloak and had his cloak over us as we snuggled up to each other.

"Maybe you should have been a water nymph," Severus whispered softly in my ear.

"Then we both wouldn't have had so much fun, would we?" I laughed and kissed his salty-tasting lips.

"Mh, but I would have liked to do without the sand all over me," he said teasingly, playing with a strand of my hair.

"And now tell me what exactly happened at Hogwarts," I said, looking at him seriously and curiously at the same time.

"I don't want tonight. Let's enjoy a little more of this lightheartedness that you have put over us this night," he whispered and kissed me deeply, our bodies tightly together.

"He seems to be very brave, Severus," I said as we had breakfast at dawn, even though we didn't have a minute's sleep and Severus had revealed to me the whole story of the Chamber of Secrets.

"Yes, perhaps braver than is good for him," Severus replied, biting heartily into a loaf of bread with scrambled eggs.

"You know what task lies ahead of him, he can't be brave enough for that," I replied, poking at my scrambled eggs.

"I would rather call this courage stupidity. I don't understand why he breaks all the school rules. Not only does he get away with it and collect house points that deprive me of the house cup. No, Potter never feels the need to go to a teacher and does everything on his own. If he didn't have the help of his somewhat gifted friends like this Granger, he would still set fire to the whole castle," he said, taking a sip of black tea.

"Well, this time he got Lockhart at least," I tried to appease, although I questioned this tired objection myself as soon as the words left my mouth. Severus also acknowledged me immediately with very raised eyebrows.

"Lockhart. Seriously? Anyone who sees him as a safe part of such a mission clearly lacks brains. Just like Lockhart now."

"Maybe Harry doesn't trust authority figures?" I said, raising my eyebrows thoughtfully.

"He trusts McGonagall and Dumbledore. But he's just like his father. So self-absorbed and arrogant to believe that he will succeed in what experienced witches and wizards cannot. If only he would pay attention in class so that he would be prepared when he meets the Dark Lord. How is Potter supposed to stand up to the greatest black magic wizard to learn with his mediocre talent and laziness?" His cup clanged noisily as he placed it on the saucer.

"So far, he's done quite well with it. He confronted a young Dark Lord and was victorious. Thanks to his friends and good luck. But I understand you, Severus. But despite everything, he also seems to me to have a certain talent for quick thinking and a good heart. And you know who he got it from," I said, taking a sip from my own cup while my eyes continued to focus on Severus, reading him, deciphering his facial expressions.

Severus was silent and I sensed that he still couldn't get rid of his dislike for Harry. The corners of his mouth pulled down as if he had bitten into a lemon that had none of the sweetness he was hoping for.

"Severus, if you want to help the boy, try not to transfer your hatred of James to him," I said softly, looking into his black sparkling eyes.

"I... can't. When I see the young Potter, I see Potter Senior in front of me. I see myself hanging in the air under this tree and-"

"Yes, but that's how I got to know you. There were moments when I hoped to meet you like that," I admitted, a little embarrassed, feeling my cheeks flush.

"Obviously," he said softly, his eyes met mine and lingered for a few moments before he leaned over the table to kiss me gently.

"I haven't thanked you for it yet," he said in a deep voice after our lips parted.

"For what?" I ask, visibly irritated.

"For your help. Then and now. For being here. By my side and you understand why I have to do all this. Why I have to sacrifice our precious time together." His voice sounded a bit rough now, his eyes fixed on me, my facial features.

"Severus, I love you with all my heart. Of course, I understand that if you don't atone for your wrongs, you can never be happy and leave the past behind. Don't you know that your pain is mine too?" I asked, trying to smile at him encouragingly.

"I don't deserve you, you know?" he stood up to hug me and kiss me with devotion. I literally melted in his arms, my knees softened.

But Severus had to go back to the castle to get the graduation party behind him, where Gryffindor once again received the house cup, while I stayed behind and thought about this whole incredible story that had happened at Hogwarts in one night.

Severus was clearly relieved that the culprit was in the past but I wondered how he could manage to freeze his youthful spirit. And he did so in such a way that he was able to become capable of acting by diverting the power of the writer of his diary. I shuddered at the thought of what this man was capable of and even more of what could come.

/Thank you so much for reading! This was the part with book number 2, you know which one will follow :)

side note: as Harry sneaks around Hogwarts with Remus to find the Chamber, Severus sneezes just as Ron curses loudly. I thought to myself, the previous wave of colds has now caught him too. So I wanted to put it in here and I hope you like it./