Hogwarts, Gryffindor Girls Dorm
Marlene McKinnon always made an effort to be sweet and kind to everyone, regardless of their house or blood status.
But being the friendly one in the group wasn't easy. More often than not, she felt overshadowed and overlooked, especially by Lily—the girl she once considered her closest friend.
It all started when she asked Lily to stop badmouthing Snape after they were no longer friends. Marlene had always believed in seeing the good in people, and she couldn't understand why Lily held on to her resentment.
"He's not the villain you think he is," Marlene had said, her voice firm but gentle. "People change, and maybe you should give him a chance to prove it."
Lily had rolled her eyes, dismissing her words as naive. "You don't know him like I do, Marlene. He's trouble, and you shouldn't waste your time defending him."
That moment marked a turning point in their friendship. Ever since then, Marlene was the butt of every joke, the one carrying everyone's bags, the one getting left behind. She noticed the way Lily's attitude toward her shifted—subtle at first, but it became harder to ignore. Lily no longer asked her to study together or invited her to sit by the fire in the common room.
When they went to Hogsmeade, Marlene found herself trailing behind, forgotten in the excitement. Even the others in the group had started following Lily's lead, their smiles thin and dismissive whenever Marlene tried to join the conversation. It was as if she was no longer part of the group, just an accessory they didn't care to include anymore.
But Marlene kept quiet, pretending everything was fine, even as the weight of it grew heavier each day.
It wasn't until her birthday that she finally broke.
It was supposed to be a happy day. She had received a gift from her parents in the mail and was excited to spend the day with her friends. Instead of acknowledging her birthday, they completely ignored her. It hurt, but when she received a note inviting her to the common room at 8, she thought it was for a surprise party.
But she was wrong.
When she walked into the common room, she was greeted by decorations: balloons, confetti, and a feast laid out on the table. A rush of joy filled her as she thought her friends were celebrating her. But when she entered, they glanced at her briefly before returning to their conversations. Confusion washed over her until Lily and James walked in behind her, and the room erupted in cheers and applause. That's when she noticed the banner.
Hanging above the door in bright pink letters was 'Happy 2 Month Anniversary Lily & James!'
Her heart sank, and the smile vanished from her face. She wanted to cry, but she held back. When she tried to ask about her birthday, her words were brushed aside. Feeling utterly invisible, she ran—out of the common room and as far as her legs would carry her—until she fell to the ground in tears
She didn't know how long she sat there on the grass, crying, until she felt a cloak being draped over her shoulders. Glancing up, she found Severus standing next to her, hands in his pockets, staring out at the lake.
"And pray tell, why are you out here in the cold crying in such a nice dress?" he asked, his tone a mix of curiosity and concern.
Marlene quickly wiped her eyes, forcing a smile. "Oh, I'm fine! Just enjoying the fresh air. What about you? What are you doing out here all alone?"
Severus raised an eyebrow, unconvinced. "You're not fine. You look like you've been crying. Come on, you can tell me."
She hesitated, feeling a tug of reluctance but not wanting to burden him. "Really, it's nothing. Just needed a break from the festivities," she said, trying to keep her tone light.
He shook his head slightly, a hint of firmness in his voice. "You don't have to pretend. If you're upset, it's okay to talk about it."
Marlene glanced away, the warmth of his cloak enveloping her but the weight of her feelings still heavy. "I just thought... never mind," she said, her smile faltering.
Severus sighed, sitting down beside her. "Come on, I don't care why you're scared, everyone needs to let it out."
She felt a flicker of gratitude at his insistence, sensing that he genuinely cared. Maybe it was time to let him in, just a little.
Marlene took a deep breath, the weight of his words pressing on her. She hesitated, unsure of how to start. "It's just... today was supposed to be special. I thought my friends would celebrate my birthday, but instead, they were too wrapped up in Lily and James."
Severus looked at her intently, his expression softening. "That's...wrong. You deserve to be acknowledged, especially on your birthday."
"I know, but I didn't want to ruin the moment for them," she admitted, her voice barely above a whisper. "I thought if I acted cheerful, it wouldn't matter."
"It does matter," he said firmly. "You're important, too. Your feelings matter."
Marlene glanced at him, surprised by the sincerity in his voice. "It just hurts to be forgotten."
He nodded, understanding shining in his eyes. "I get it. Sometimes it feels like no one sees you for who you really are."
Her heart warmed at his words, a small sense of comfort creeping in. Lily had always badmouthed him as some rock who didn't know a shred of human emotion, but here he was treating her better than Lily ever had.
He shifted slightly, his gaze returning to the lake. "You... you belong. No matter what people say or do, it's clear you're one of the few who truly belong in this school."
Marlene felt a flicker of hope. Maybe it wasn't too late for her to find her voice among the noise. "I guess I just wanted to feel... wanted."
Severus turned to her, his expression serious. "You are wanted, Marlene. The right people will see your worth. It just takes time for them to realize it."
She let out a shaky breath, her head falling onto his shoulder. Was this what peace felt like? Was this what it meant to have someone truly be kind to her? If so, she never wanted to lose it.
For a moment, the world around them faded away—the sounds of laughter and celebration from the castle, the chill in the air. All that mattered was the warmth of his presence beside her.
"Thank you for being here," she whispered, feeling vulnerable yet safe. "I didn't expect this... I didn't expect you to care."
"I do care," he replied softly, his tone steady. "And you deserve to know that."
Marlene's heart swelled at his words, a mixture of gratitude and something deeper blossoming inside her. She realized she had been searching for this connection for so long—someone who understood her, who didn't dismiss her feelings.
"Maybe I need to start believing that," she said, pulling back slightly to look at him. "Maybe I need to stand up for myself more."
Severus met her gaze, his eyes steady and encouraging. "You should." God... those eyes, so dark and intense, like pools of obsidian pulling her in, begging her to drown in them.
Marlene felt her breath hitch in her throat, the warmth of his presence overwhelming. She had never looked at him this way before—never noticed the depth and complexity that lay behind those intense eyes. In that moment, everything around them faded, leaving just the two of them suspended in time.
"What are you thinking?" he asked softly, as if sensing the shift between them.
She hesitated, caught off guard by her own feelings. "I... I don't know," she admitted, her voice barely a whisper. "I just feel... safe with you."
Severus studied her for a moment, and she could see a flicker of something in his gaze—an understanding, perhaps. "You deserve to feel safe. You've been through a lot."
His words hung in the air, heavy with meaning. Marlene felt a surge of emotion as she realized how much she wanted this moment to last. She wanted to stay here, in this bubble of comfort and connection, away from the chaos of her life.
Without thinking, she leaned in closer, drawn by an impulse she couldn't resist. "Thank you for being you," she said, her voice barely above a whisper.
For a heartbeat, the world fell away completely, and all that existed was the space between them, charged with unspoken feelings. In that instant, Marlene realized that this was more than just friendship; it was something deeper, something she hadn't allowed herself to hope for. And as she looked into his eyes, she knew she didn't want to let it go.
As the tension between them thickened, Marlene's heart raced. She leaned in even closer, the warmth of Severus's body radiating against hers. Their faces were just inches apart, and the world around them faded into nothing.
In a moment of courage, she closed the gap, pressing her lips softly against his. It was tentative at first, a gentle exploration that quickly ignited a spark between them. The kiss deepened, fueled by everything they had shared—the loneliness, the understanding, the connection that had formed in this quiet moment by the lake.
Severus responded, his hands finding her waist, anchoring her as they lost themselves in the kiss. Time seemed to stand still, and all of Marlene's insecurities melted away, leaving only the sensation of being wanted, cherished, and understood.
When they finally pulled away, both breathless, Marlene's cheeks flushed with warmth. She searched his eyes, looking for answers, for confirmation of what had just happened.
"You... you kissed me," she said, astonished and exhilarated.
Severus looked a little stunned himself, a faint smile creeping onto his lips. "I did. And I don't regret it."
In that moment, everything shifted. Marlene knew that whatever lay ahead, she had found something special—a connection that could change everything.
After a moment of shared smiles and lingering warmth, Severus took her hand gently, helping her to her feet. The air was crisp as they began to walk back toward the castle, the path illuminated by the soft glow of the moon.
Marlene felt a mix of exhilaration and nervousness, glancing sideways at Severus as they strolled in comfortable silence. His hand felt reassuring in hers, grounding her amidst the whirlwind of emotions swirling inside.
"Are you going to be okay?" he asked, breaking the quiet as they reached the edge of the lake. "With everything that happened today?"
She nodded, her heart still racing. "I think so. I just need to find my voice again. And maybe stand up for myself a bit more."
Severus looked at her, his expression earnest. "You should. You deserve to be heard. And if anyone gives you trouble, you know I'll have your back."
A small smile crept onto her face, grateful for his support. "Thank you, Severus. It means a lot."
As they approached the entrance to her common room, the warmth from inside beckoned her. Marlene paused for a moment, turning to face him. "I really enjoyed tonight," she said softly.
"Me too," he replied, his gaze steady. "It's nice to know that someone sees you for who you are."
Feeling a rush of courage, she leaned in and brushed her lips against his cheek—a soft, lingering kiss that felt full of promise. "Goodnight, Severus."
He smiled, a hint of warmth in his expression as he stepped back. "Goodnight, Marlene. Remember, you're never alone."
With that, she turned, ready to slip into the common room, only to be pulled back to him by her arm. Their lips met once more, a surge of warmth and longing igniting between them. The kiss was deeper this time, more urgent, as if they were both trying to convey everything they felt in that single moment.
Marlene melted against him, her heart racing as she lost herself in the kiss. It was electric—everything she had been missing and more. She could feel the tension of the evening dissolving, replaced by a sense of belonging and desire.
When they finally broke apart, breathless and wide-eyed, she searched his gaze, feeling a mix of disbelief and joy. "Wow," she breathed, a smile spreading across her face.
Severus chuckled softly, brushing a stray hair behind her ear. "Yeah, wow."
They stood there for a moment, both a little dazed, the world around them fading into the background once more. Marlene felt a warmth spreading through her, filling the spaces left by loneliness and doubt.
"Goodnight for real this time," she said, her voice a whisper as she took a step back, still holding onto his gaze.
"Goodnight, Marlene," he replied, his tone warm and genuine.
With a final smile, she slipped into the common room, her heart racing and her mind swirling. She had taken a leap tonight, and it made her feel beautiful.
