~~~~~Author Note~~~~~
This is one of many chapters with an alternate version on Archive of Our Own. Because of the adult content policy of FanFiction net , I have omitted certain NSFW/smutty details of the story. The full version is on AO3 under the username AugustsAria.
~~~~~Thank You!~~~~~
For the rest of the day Rune was quiet, assisting Snape like a shadow. It was hard to keep her mind off what had happened at Knockturn Alley, so she did what she always did when her mind was in distress and threw herself into potions. She helped prep the demonstration ingredients for the second year potion lesson the next day and choose an essay question to give to the sixth years. Their debate over the right question lasted a while. They narrowed it down to "The Potential Uses of a Scintillation Potion in Agriculture and Business" and "A Commentary on the Criminal Trials for the Misuse of the Essence of Insanity Drought". Severus was firm that stressing the effects of the Essence of Insanity was paramount to warning them off the use of it, but Rune was also equally stubborn that students needed to learn critical thinking for the useful application of superficial potions. Agreeing to disagree and leave it up to the students to choose their prompt, Rune decided to finish the day by unwinding with an actual potion making session, making some Wiggenweld potions and a Cure for Boils to give to Madame Pomphrey.
Exhausted emotionally and physically, she found herself meandering into the bath, ready to relax. The little suite for the Potion Master had an adjoining bathroom with a large wade-in bath that could easily fit four to five people. It was more a jacuzzi than a bathtub, but the luxury was to be expected of the Slytherin House. The wall to the side had a large window that looked out into the Black Lake, a soothing thing to watch while indulging in the amenities. There was a charm on it so that whatever was in the lake couldn't see in, just so that bathers didn't get a surprise naked encounter with a mermaid or a diver.
After choosing a nice scent to add, she stripped down and sunk into the bubbles. All of her worries melted into the water. After working her mind tirelessly on potions, she didn't have the energy to feel anxious about Avery or Lucius. The muscles in her body relaxed, and she let out a sigh, her head dropping back onto the cold stone ledge. Even the contrast between warm and cool was soothing, so had stayed longer than she thought to. Her body was plump with excess water and her skin was wrinkling, a sure sign that she needed to get her act together, so she stood up. Just as she was reaching for her wand to dry off she heard the door open. Her eyes darted over and locked on to the invader.
Severus.
The large, brooding man was frozen, his gaze locked on to her. Everything stopped for her as she tried to understand what exactly was happening, her mind fuzzy from the heat and steam and too emotionally taxed to form an immediate reaction.
Processing the situation, she became aware that she was soapy and slick, her bare skin glistening in the candlelight of the dungeons. Every curve of hers was exposed, as well as every mole and freckle.
Severus also appeared to be lagging in response, frozen in place. His wide eyes roamed her body she shuddered, coming back to her senses.
With a squeak of panic, she lurched the rest of the way out the bath to reach for her clothes and slipped, the soapy water on the stone a poor combination.
"Rune! Wait! It's dangerous!" Severus was quick to respond, rushing forward and catching her, his arms wrapping around her wet form. The excess beads of water on her skin soaked into his thick black robes, the dry clothes sticking to her body and fusing them together
Embarrassment drew blood to her face, her pale skin turning a rosy hue. But it wasn't just embarrassment. Her body recognized their proximity, electricity zapping where his firm hand gripped onto her slick waist. Rune shuddered, a warmth blossoming in her chest and a tingling in her toes. They shared a long moment where they just stared with wide eyes and flushed faces before Severus was able to regain his composure, clearing his throat nervously. He at least had enough mind left to see that she was safely on her feet before releasing her and looking away.
The way his lips thinned with emotion and his normally pallid face turned bright red was so becoming to her. It was a secret side of him she never knew. And it wascharming.
The apathetic Severus Snape was not unaffected by her. It was easily read on his face that he felt something for her just then, and it was a small victory in her mind. Though she had tried to force herself to give up on any dreams of love with him, his response gave her a little flicker of hope. Attraction could lead to more.
"You usually don't use the bath this early. I didn't think to check." He covered his face with his hand, trying to conceal his bashfulness. "I apologize."
"It's okay." She laughed nervously. "I was just finishing up. If you give me a moment I'll be out of here."
The strange shuffle walk Snape did to the door was endearing. After he left she realized that her heart was pounding. Rune had been so focused on the expressions he was making that she had forgotten to monitor her own condition. It took her a long second to calm down, the fluttering in her stomach making it hard to focus. After she dressed and dried herself with a handy charm, she stepped out of the bath. Severus waited for his turn outside the door, leaning against the stone wall, but when she passed him he refused to make eye contact.
She thought to stop him and reached out to grab his arm. He came to a stop but didn't turn back.
"What is it?"
There was no warmth in his tone. And she wondered if she had misread everything. Rune frowned, any question she had for him about their encounter long gone. Her mind raced to find something to say.
"I'm going to go see Remus." She informed him. Remus would want to know about her encounter with Lucius and Avery, so it was as good an excuse as any. Snape was silent as he passed her and closed the door.
There was no way for Rune to know that once he closed the bathroom door it began a long stretch of Severus avoiding her.
Weeks passed and he only spoke to her minimally during their joint teaching responsibilities. She helped him grade essays and received some opinionated feedback, but nothing personal. There was only one instance in which she realized he truly did feel something for her, though she wasn't sure what, when she went out to get ingredients in Hogsmeade without informing him and he anxiously went to fetch her.
But then directly afterward he was back to being standoffish, as if the walk back from the village didn't even happen.
"I don't understand." Rune whined, bashing her forehead into the Defense Against the Dark Arts table.
"You said he walked in on you while you were in the bath. Maybe you stirred something in Severus. He's stiff as a board with the personality of burlap, but he is still a man. The emotions are probably confusing to him. He never did well with feeling things." The usual amiable and helpful man glowered, practically spitting the words. It was harsh for Remus and she raised a brow at him, wondering why he was so grumpy.
"He has a personality!" Rune defended, pulling her head up to pout at her friend. "He can be very sweet. He was very supportive when I ran into Lucius and Avery."
"So was I. Friendship is like that." Remus sighed impatiently. "There's a difference in supporting someone because you care about them and being attracted to them. The man is practically a monk."
"I think you are reading too much into it." Disappointment filled her like lead. All of her self loathing and hopelessness poured back in and she dropped back to the desk, her mouth muffled by the wood as she spoke in a low, disheartened tone. "There will never be a point in my lifetime where Severus will give up his everlasting love for Lily. Thinking otherwise is just another path to being miserable."
"I never said it was love. I said he was sexually attracted to you." Tired of the circles they were speaking in, Remus ruffled her hair and earned a scandalized gasp.
"And I say it's unlikely." She retorted, huffily fixing her hair. Habit hit and she continued, primping her skirts. "What's with you? It's not like you to be this grouchy."
And then she remembered that the full moon was coming. He already looked tired, so she let it go.
But still Severus ignored her and he did so straight into the Hallowe'en feast. Rune made a rare appearance in the Grand Hall, eating some of the treats from the shadows and conversing with some of the professors to celebrate the holiday. It wasn't until they were wrapping up for the evening that all hell broke loose.
More of a wallflower than a socialite, she had been making her way through the dungeons to her room when she heard a frantic voice echo down the corridor behind her.
"Rune! Merlin…. RUNE ARE YOU HERE?!"
It was very unlike Severus to seek her out nowadays so she didn't answer right away, confused if she had heard right. But she could recognize his voice at every instance, so she knew it was him.
"Runestella!"
Severus was definitely calling for her, and he must be serious. He hardly used her entire name.
"I'm here, Sev." Her delicate voice echoed on the dungeon walls and Severus turned the corner, his cape billowing with the quick motion, following the source. When his eyes landed on her a potent relief filled him, melting his expression. Long strides made his robes flutter out as he pulled her forward into a tight hug. In his firm grip she could feel his hands shaking, and she felt puzzled and stunned by the sudden affection.
"I couldn't find you. I was afraid of the worst."
"What do you mean?"
"Come with me." Glancing around, he pulled away and took a firm hold on her hand, towing her through the halls towards her room. Once inside he released her and did a check around the room, tossing her wardrobe open, opening chests, and looking under the bed. He didn't miss one hiding spot. As he searched, she anxiously thumbed the potion bottle at her neck, the smooth glass soothing her.
"Severus, what is going on?" She caught the sleeve of his outfit and he finally stopped. A large sigh left his chest and he grabbed her hand.
"Rune. Please don't be frightened." His deep eyes were full of concern, though his face was still very stoic and serious. The slight pull of his brow made her realize he was truly beside himself.
"Just tell me!" Rune huffed.
"Sirius was spotted in the castle." Severus paused to see how she reacted, continuing only when she didn't seem frightened. "He attacked the picture of the Fat Lady."
It was strange. Though Severus was so alarmed, the news wasn't scary to her at all. While it was true that she had come to Hogwarts because there was suspicion that Sirius might try to harm her, she never fully believed it a possibility.
"The castle is going into lockdown while the Professors search the premises. All the students will be in the Great Hall. You should join them." A desperate stare almost convinced her.
"Why would Sirius even be here?" Rune avoided the suggestion, not really willing to be crammed into the Hall with students. Being in a crowded space seemed like a greater hell than being caught by her brother.
"We think he's after Potter."
"Harry Potter? Whatever for?" The logic was lost on her. They had a hard time convincing her that Sirius was a threat to her wellbeing, but why in the world would he care about some thirteen year old child?
"He was the one who turned Lily in." When he said it his jaw tensed, an anger she had never seen him wear before darkening his face. His panic to find her and his distress made a lot of sense now. Rune had forgotten what Sirius was accused of, and the long past between Severus and her brother. "He is likely back to finish the job."
"Sev." Though she nearly hesitated because of the distance that had been between them after the bath incident, she didn't like seeing him so nervous. Rune reached out to guide his face towards her so that she could look at him in the eyes. Her calm expression made his brows soften.
"It'll be okay." She assured him.
"I just… don't want anything to happen to you." To reciprocate he cupped her cheek in his hand, the gesture surprisingly tender as he rubbed his thumb over her soft skin.
"I'll be fine. I'll lock myself in my room. Nothing will happen."
Her promise brought a frown to his lips.
"Your room? Rune, you should go to the Great Hall with everyone else."
"I don't want to be with so many people. It makes me nervous. Besides, isn't it a worse idea to put both Harry Potter and I in the same spot? If Sirius truly is after us, putting both targets together will raise the risk of an attack."
It was logical. He grunted, frustrated that he couldn't refute her answer.
"You can lock me in yourself and take the key with you. You can even put a charm on the door so Alohomora won't work. No one will be able to find me until you come back to set me free."
It was a weird thing she was allowing him to do, especially because she had so much trauma around her confinement. But it didn't feel nefarious to allow Severus to lock her in, and she was at Hogwarts. Someone would eventually free her, be it Filch, Dumbledore or Remus. This was a boundary she was specifically allowing Severus to cross. She wondered if he understood just how much trust she was placing in him by giving him the key to her room.
Finally he nodded, grabbing the iron key for the door from the side table. As he stepped out she started to close the door but he pushed it open suddenly, knocking her off balance. Before she could regain her footing he threaded his hand through her hair and pulled her head close to him, planting his lips on hers.
The kiss was sudden and passionate, and she gasped, opening her mouth for the kiss to deepen. He plunged his tongue deep inside her mouth, stroking her completely and tasting her. Instinctually she gave back, her legs weakening from the intensity. It had to have only been a few moments of kissing, but she felt like time stopped. Only his lips and the way her own tingled in return mattered. Her breath shortened, her mind going light, as she was encompassed by his dittany and charcoal scent.
And then he broke away, giving her a long, charged stare.
"Be safe." It was more of an order than a request.
After he left, the lock clicking decisively, Rune's legs gave out. He had so distracted her with the kiss that she had no time to think on the feeling of confinement again or feel unsettled by it. She fell to the floor, her hair a mess, her lipstick smudged, and her eyes wide and stunned. The chaos of her clothing was very unlike a woman of the Black family, but she couldn't find her facilities to even care.
He kissed me. She thought, her hand shaking as it brushed her lips. It was so unexpected and quick that she could almost fool herself that it didn't happen at all. As she got up and went to her vanity. Leaning over the front, she came within inches of the mirror and noted that her appearance was very much in disarray. Her shaking fingers brushed her reddened lips, pulling them slightly down with the weight of her clumsy touch to show her straight teeth in her reflection.
Severus had indeed kissed her.
But why? What did it mean?
As she got ready for bed she realized she had more questions than answers. There was still no anxiety about the locked room because she was so engrossed in what had happened that she forgot she was confined. Rune did her best to stay awake for when Severus returned but she was so tired she turned in for the night. It wasn't until morning when she woke up that she realized the door was unlocked again.
After getting ready and heading to the Potion's Room to meet up with him before morning classes, she came upon him deep in thought at his desk. A small smile curled her lips as she snuck up beside him, placing a hand on his chair to steady herself while she leaned forward and put her lips by his ear.
"What are you thinking about?" She whispered.
Her assault was so sudden that he jumped, his hand flying up to cover his ear. A flush colored all the way up his neck, peeking over his high collar in a stark contrast to the black fabric.
"Merlin! Don't do that!" Most people would find his scathing expression intimidating, but Rune could only think that his response was rather cute. A little smile curled her lips as she took a seat next to him.
"You were so deep in thought this early in the morning. I couldn't help it." Resting her chin on her palm, she watched him closely while they chatted.
"I was thinking about your brother." He admitted.
"Sirius? Why? What happened?" More engaged, she straightened her back and looked around as if Sirius were prepared to pop out of the shadows at any moment.
"I meant to tell you last night but you were already asleep. We swept the whole castle but there was no sign of him. The portraits insist it was him, and even Peeves says he saw him. But he was gone when we went to look for him and we cannot figure out how he got into the castle in the first place."
"How he got into the castle?" Rune frowned. A brief thought crossed her mind. Remus had told her that her brother and his friends had learned to be an Animagus to stay by his side. It was certainly easier to sneak about in her raven form… perhaps Sirius used his form in a similar way.
Before she could relay her realization, Severus made a shocking accusation that put her intentions to help on hold.
"Perhaps Remus is helping him come into the castle. They were close friends back then."
The condemnation made her stomach sink.
"You can't mean that Remus would let Sirius in, knowing he wants to hurt both me and the Potter kid." Her cold tone was a quick sign that she was angry and his gaze snapped to her, noting her icy glare.
"I can't fathom why you would protect him." Instead of smoothing the situation, Severus doubled down. He was a stubborn man, and even a decade hadn't changed that. "It's true that he was friends with Sirius. And he's a werewolf! He's dangerous."
"Remus would never do that. Why are you accusing him? I have a closer connection to Sirius than he does! I'm Sirius' little sister, after all. Do you think I would let him into the castle?" She stood up, straightening her clothing and hair angrily.
"Of course not! But Remus Lupin is another matter entirely."
"You just don't like him and you are looking for excuses to continue to dislike him." Rune hissed, lifting her skirts so she could leave faster.
"Where are you going?"
"I'm going to give Remus his potion. He can't miss any until the full moon. As you mentioned, he has a condition that can be dangerous if I don't manage it. Excuse me."
In a huff, she stomped off to do just as she promised. When she met with Remus she decided it best not to tell him what Snape had accused him of. He was already an emotional wreck as the full moon approached, and the attack by Sirius wasn't making him more jovial.
Absolutely distraught, her friend rushed forward to check her over and ensure she had no injuries.
How could a man so worried about her be the cause? It was absurd.
Because of their fight Rune avoided Snape this time. She did her job to perfection and interacted with him professionally so he couldn't complain, but that was all she did. Every time he tried to talk to her about anything personal she stood up and left.
Even still, Severus was very clingy the day of the full moon and she found it hard to get away. She told Remus it would be hard for her to leave the castle without Severus catching on and decided instead to stay in her room and read some books she checked out from the Library. Now that she was an adult she could freely access the restricted section which gave her a ton of new tomes to filter through. As a student she had read most of the books in the general area, so she was glad to have more to read.
The trouble began early in the morning. Rune had been sleeping, but a bad feeling woke her up and she sat up in bed, her brow furrowing as she tried to figure out what exactly was off. As light crept into the window through the murky waters of the Black Lake, giving her a dim illumination to investigate, she heard shuffling in the hallway. Severus walked with such elegance and straight posture that he practically swooped everywhere, so he wouldn't make such heavy footfalls. Worried, she crept to the door, peeking through the keyhole.
For a moment her vision blurred, trying to adjust to the dark corridor. There was a silhouette, hunched over, that was hard to make out. Rune had to squint, but eventually her brain pieced it together.
Remus was on the other side of the door, leaning against the wall and huffing in pain while clutching his side.
"Remus!" Tossing the door open without a second thought, she rushed to him. Finally able to get a clear view, she horrified to see red, sticky blood seeping into his shirt.
"Stel." A weak smile crossed his face which was quickly distorted by a pained grimace. His hand shakily held the wound, trying to apply pressure but blood oozed out still.
"What happened? You took your potions! How did you get injured like this?"
Wolfsbane Potion worked by allowing the werewolf to keep their mind when they transform so they aren't violent to bystanders.
What if she messed up on the potion? Her stomach sank. It had never happened before, but she was human. Even she, a prodigal master, could make a terrible mistake.
"I did." He gasped around the ache. "The potion was fine. I remember everything."
"Then what in the world…?"
"Can you stop… the bleeding first?" He asked, his hand coated with viscous fluid so thickly that it was hard to keep in place. His face was pale as a sheet, telling her that he had lost a lot of blood.
"One second!" She rushed into her room and rummaged through her potions, finding a Wiggenweld Potion to give to him. It wouldn't be as good as the work of a healer like Madame Pomphrey, but it would stop the bleeding.
Running back, she popped the cork and tilted the potion into his mouth. After he swallowed the brew, a tinkling white light enveloped his body and focused on the wound. It shrunk just enough to stop the blood.
"Are you doing okay?" Worried, she hovered.
"I'll need to see Madame Pomphrey, but that has taken the edge off." With a large sigh he looked at Rune.
"I-I can use healing spells." Rune patted her nightgown and realized she didn't have her wand.
"It's fine. I better get looked at by a mediwitch." Remus watched her face droop with helplessness and chuckled in good sport. "Don't make that face. It isn't your fault. Really."
"But...this was the first time in years I haven't been by your side when you transformed. And this happens…" Guilt made her hover and Remus easily read her expression.
"I ran into another werewolf tonight and we fought. The other guy obviously didn't have a potion master for a friend so he was not himself. What could you have done if you were there? Peck him to death?" His small smile eased her tension.
"Another werewolf did this?" Rune trembled she checked his injuries. "Let's get you moving towards the infirmary. Can you walk or should I use a charm?"
"I don't think I could live down being charmed about the castle." He laughed and then winced. "If you give me a shoulder to lean on I can make it, even if it's slow."
After hefting his weight she shuffled with him down the hall, ready to make their long journey, when Severus rounded the corner. His eyes darted between Remus and Rune, a furrow deepening on his brow.
"What do we have here? Rough night, Remus?" His words were filled with ire. Rune glared his way, disliking his tone with her friend.
"You have no idea." Remus, ever amiable, laughed which sent a wave of pain through him. He leaned into his friend, clutching at her robes. Again Severus glanced at their exchange, darkness deepening his brown eyes.
"I hope this isn't proof that you have been keeping him company during his transformations." The same suspicion he had surfaced again, and Rune could only sigh at his insinuation.
"He's injured and that's all you're worried about? Can't you see he needs medical attention?" She walked by him and clicked her tongue in annoyance. "He came here first thing in the morning. I haven't left my room."
As they were leaving, Severus lifted his voice so that it carried to them as they retreated down the corridor.
"I'll teach your classes during your recovery."
"I would appreciate it." Remus grunted back.
"And that means that Rune will be very busy picking up most of the potion work." A smug smirk drew across Severus' face. "She won't have time for you."
"I'll do the work tomorrow." Rune snapped. "As for today, I am officially informing you that I need a personal day."
As she left she felt his irate stare bore into the back of her head.
During the journey Remus thought to comment on the weird exchange.
"Didn't that seem like jealousy?"
"Jealous? Severus Snape would never be jealous. Not for me, that is." Rune frowned.
She refused to allow hope to bloom. Hope that he felt anything for her beyond a way to soothe his boredom. Hope was poison.
The kiss they shared was a fluke.
Out of concern for Remus, who was the only family-like person she had left, she stayed by his side in the Hospital Wing for the entire day, assisting his healing in any way she could. She was informed that he would be out of commission for days while he recovered the blood he lost.
Somehow she managed to do the extra potion work, short of actually teaching the classes, and still visit Remus after hours. She was so busy that she didn't even see Severus at all, just left the completed work on his desk for him to find. At the beginning of the next week Remus was finally given the all clear to go back to his duties. By this point, Rune was exhausted.
Lighter than she had been in days because of the knowledge of Remus' recovery, Rune dressed in her slip and nothing else and prepared to turn in early. Just before she could blow out her candle, there was a solid knock at her door. Cautious, she remained quiet until she heard a familiar voice.
"Rune."
"What do you want?" She asked, tossing the door open to reveal Severus. Instead of replying he took long strides to close the distance between them, gripped both of her cheeks, and pulled her face towards his to meet.
It was rough but full of passion, as if he had kept this kiss in his thoughts for days. Threading his hands through her silky hair he tilted her head back, opening her for his tongue to plunder deeply into her mouth. Her breath ran short forcing her to gasp against his lips as she stumbled back. While they were kissing she hadn't realized that he was leading her until the bend of her knees hit the side of her mattress and she went toppling over.
Panting, she looked up at him, confused. Her clever brain raced, trying to understand just what had triggered this encounter.
"Severus?" She asked, staring through her thick lashes. The expression he wore was unlike anything she had seen from him before. It was smoldering, his eyes raking over her form slowly.
"Rune." He crawled over her on the bed, encompassing her with his robes. The dark shelter was intimate and made her heart quicken. His head dipped and he ran his lips along her jaw and neck, nibbling at the tendon there. She gasped, arching back and holding his head, his hair silky between her fingers.
"W-what's this about?" Breathlessly she managed to ask what was on her mind.
"I want you." He simply replied, sucking hard on her skin so that she writhed under him. "Will you not allow it?"
"...yes." Rune replied, after just a moment of thinking. All reason in her brain was gone. She didn't care anymore if he loved her or another woman. Now she wanted to stop worrying and live in the moment.
And soon they were lost in each other. But unlike all the imagery Rune had dreamt up about her first true sexual encounter of her own will, it wasn't gentle or full of love. Severus was rough. If it were anyone else but him Rune might not have been able to handle the intensity because of her traumatic past. But because it was him, and she had wanted him for so long, her full heart let him do whatever he wanted.
It was disappointing that she didn't feel loved, Severus using her body like a toy he owned and didn't want to share, but her body did feel satisfied and fulfilled by their connection. For Rune, who had only known assault, feeling genuine desire from him was enough.
Both satiated, they panted and stared at each other with shock. With an exhausted grunt Severus fell, crushing her under his weight. She wanted to ask him about the encounter, find any sort of answer for what had happened, but his arms wrapped around her and tightened into an embrace. As he hugged her he buried the head into the nape of her neck, breathing of her scent.
"I'm sorry." He muttered, nuzzling her. "I lost myself. I hope it wasn't unpleasant for you, your past being as it is."
"It wasn't!" While it was meant to offer reassurance for him, she found it was true. And no point in their encounter did she feel fear or discomfort, and at no point did she have any time to think of her past trauma. During their sexual escapade she could only think of Severus, her entire being wishing to be with him.
"Then can we stay like this?" Still he spoke in a low voice, as if he was afraid of being overheard. Afraid of someone knowing that their relationship had changed.
"...alright." Rune patted his silken hair, indulging him.
And so they slept together, Rune tucked into his sturdy embrace. And it felt like something between them changed. If only a little. But neither of them were willing to actually address what the change was.
Because it could ruin the fragile peace they had fostered.
Their strange arrangement continued in that manner; never truly defining what their new relationship was. Severus still expressed jealousy and anger whenever she spent time with Remus, and they still had their occasional unplanned late night rendezvous.
Rune wanted to ask about their relationship. But she was scared to. Scared of the answer. She knew that what he would have to say about their relationship would break her, and so she lived in denial.
Months passed with the uncomfortable intimacy between them. And it was all the more uncomfortable because Severus had an ability to turn off any sense of closeness they had like a switch. During work hours he was all business, not even entertaining personal matters. Cold. Callous. Calculating. And then when they were alone he would soften for her, ever so slightly. Like ice melting in the sun.
Christmas was fast approaching and for the first time she was nervous. She wanted to get him something, but she wasn't sure what. There was no good reference point for a present bought for a vaguely defined connection like theirs. It was a gray area whether she should even get him something at all.
For weeks approaching the holiday she fretted about his hobbies and what he might enjoy, but she couldn't think of anything beyond his job. Finally she came to the conclusion that he would most likely enjoy something useful. Anything practical that had a purpose and wasn't just sitting around.
After the full moon, where she spent time with Remus, she got an idea while looking at the moonlight glittering over her plumage. Rushing to her friend's office, she closed herself in.
"Remus! Are my feathers pretty?" It was a strange question and he had to stare at her for a long moment to recall that she even had feathers.
"As a raven…?"
"No, as a human." She rolled her eyes. "Of course as a raven. Do I have pretty feathers?"
"Well…" Remus thought about it. "Actually they are pretty unique, now that I think about it. They have more iridescence to them than a normal raven. Very shimmery and blue."
"Would they make a good quill?" She asked, trying to visualize her size as a raven. They were large feathers, weren't they?
"Well, I would imagine they would. What's this about?" Remus was intiqued. It was unusual for her to be so worked up about something.
"I'm going to transform into a raven. You need to pluck the best feather, okay?"
"Pluck it?I'm sorry, what? Won't that hurt?" He stood up from his desk suddenly, alarmed at her request.
"Don't worry about it. Just pluck the largest, prettiest one." Swooping her arms in a circle she easily transformed into her bird form. It had been so long since she became an animagus that it came absurdly naturally to her now. Hopping close to him, she croaked a little tune of encouragement.
"Rune, what if someone comes in? Isn't it a bit odd to have a raven in…" She fluttered up and snapped at his finger, urging him to get on with it.
"Alright!" Shaking his pained digit, he ruffled through her plumage, searching for one that was the right shape and size. On a raven the longest feathers are near the neck, so he found one from her frilled collar and gave it a decisive yank. She squawked when it was plucked, the pain sharp unpleasant.
A knock sounded at his office door. They both froze, Rune's feathers puffing out in surprise as she leveled her sharp corvid vision in the direction of the intruder.
"Uh.. who is it?" Remus asked, putting the feather down on his desk by his notes.
"Severus." His voice made her heart race even in her bird form. "I wanted to talk to you about the exam schedule before the end of the term."
"If you don't want him to know you're an animagus, transform now." Remus said out of the side of his mouth. Rune complied, shifting easily back to her human form. She had no time to get herself together before Severus opened the door, not even caring if he was rude.
His eyes darted to Rune, standing awkwardly in the room. Because Remus had been looking through her feathers, her hair was uncharacteristically messy and her collar was creased. Seeing her appearance, his eyes darkened and his jaw clenched.
"Rune. I wasn't aware you were here." He stalked over to her, looking around suspiciously. "I thought I heard a bird in here."
"Ah. Yes." She laughed, smoothing down some errant strands poking out of her twisted updo. "It was an owl. Remus got some mail. It was quite frisky, the little bugger. He just wouldn't leave me alone."
"...I see." His eyes narrowed as if he weren't buying the excuse.
"You wanted to ask about the exam schedule?" Remus cleared his throat, garnering his attention.
"Yes. I was going to have the sixth year students brew a more complex potion but it will take longer. I was wondering if I could switch the exam slot with you so that the students were brewing later in the day so they will have more time."
"I see no problem with it. I just have an essay on the roster. Figure I'd let them off easy before Christmas." Remus shrugged, leaning against his desk. Rune could tell he was trying his best to guard her secret by strategically putting his body in front of where the feather was.
"Of course you would. My students are expected to show excellence regardless of festivities. I'll inform the Headmaster of the shift." After his snide remark he shocked Rune by putting his arm around her shoulders. The proximity in front of others was so unlike him she could only stare with wide eyes.
"Come, Rune." As if proving a point he sent a very stern stare at Remus when he guided her from the room in his embrace.
"Sev?" She asked, confused. He just tightened his hand on her shoulder and marched her down the hallway towards the dungeons.
"What if someone sees?" Rune continued, nervously looking about. For the most part she was shielded by his draping robe, but if a student saw rumors would fly. He ignored her concern. Luckily they didn't run into anyone since most students were occupied with studying before the exam.
She was ushered into their living quarters, the heavy door shutting on the corridor.
"Sev!" She tried again. As soon as the heavy door closed she was slammed into the wall, his lips covering hers. Gasping in shock, he used the opportunity to kiss her deeper, plunging his tongue into her mouth. His hand gripped on to her bun and pulled her head back, controlling the encounter.
Unable to breath she pushed at him. He didn't budge, continuing his assault. It was so intoxicating she almost let it go, but his aggression was so over the top she wanted answers. Her little fist beat at his chest until he pulled back, leaving them both out of breath.
"Sev, what in the world are you doing?" It was so sudden and intense that she couldn't wrap her mind around the cause of his behavior. He had always been jealous of Remus in the past, but it didn't cause him to break his professionalism and risk exposure.
"I should be asking you that." Using her bun he pulled her head down, exposing her neck. "You were alone with Remus in his office with your hair messed up and a tear on your collar. What were you doing with him?"
"I told you, it was an owl!" She defended. Until he mentioned she didn't know that her collar was torn, but considering where Remus had harvested the feather it made sense.
"So if I pull your dress down I won't see marks where he has touched you?" Snape snarled, his hand releasing her hair and hooking under her collar. A brief moment of anxiety flashed in her mind, the motion bringing back unpleasant memories.
"What? Of course not! I told you that Remus and I are just friends."
A deep anger simmered in her as she realized she hated being treated this way. Even if it was the one man she had always loved, it was demeaning to be treated like a loose woman who would put out for anyone. She was also someone with a violent past and trauma. The aggression was beginning to trigger her PTSD, her palms breaking into a cold sweat.
She reached her breaking point.
Rune slapped his hand away, glaring up at him. Her hands were trembling.
"I don't like the way you are acting. You have no right. We have never labeled our relationship. Even if I did mess around with Remus, you would have no right to interfere." Tears pricked in her vision.
"And this?" Rune gestured to her collar where he had grabbed her clothing. "Why would you think this is appropriate? You know what happened to me. I told you. I trusted you!"
Her lecture struck him like it was a physical hit, his whole body stiffening. Regret fell over his gaze, but she was too upset to even entertain his remorse.
Rune stormed away. The resentment ran so deep that she forgot about the feather Remus plucked. After he had returned it to her, she tucked it in her desk in her room and went back to avoiding Severus again. Every evening she would lock herself in her room, and her eyes would catch on the feather. As she stared at it ,she still felt bitter. And she wondered if it was worth making him a special gift at all.
A note from August:
Severus was not a very good male lead in this chapter. It might feel a little infuriating as a reader, but I assure you it was very purposeful. I never wanted to portray Severus as a perfect male lead since he was a very abrasive character in the books. It was very important to me to ensure that there was consistency with the source material. Please bear with me as we watch both of our leads grow. Remember, in any relationship is it important to learn your partner's boundaries!