#exploring the backrooms with your boyfriend for eternity

[gazkamurocho]

This came to me in a dream??

[violet-knox]

Time’s Swift Betrayal

Year 7 - Chapter 52

Summary: You shop with Severus at Diagon Alley and spend a night at the Leaky Cauldron before catching the train to Hogwarts the next day.

Word count: 7609

Warnings: A bit of naughty touching but no smut 

Previous Chapter - Chapter 1 

~

You were never one for clichés, but you could appreciate the beauty in a good poetic metaphor. It’s funny how relative time could be, changing for every person on the planet when all your clocks were synced to a particular hour, each hand clicking away with exact precision. Yet you could feel it pass slower during an exam, you could feel each second stretching when Dumbledore gave his beginning of the year speech, elongated with every year that passed. 

Time flies when you’re having fun. The expression that you only found all the more true as you grew older. Time flew when the words of a page snatched you into an unknown world. Time flew when you were on a broom with nothing running in your head but the goal of victory. But time had never switched gears, running at maximum speed into the abyss of your future when you were with Severus. It was hard to believe that summer had come to an end so soon when you’d barely managed to get through half of the things you had in mind. Still, you’d spent so much of it with Severus, working with him, taking walks after work, talking until nightfall. Nothing else could have made time speed by the way it did these last few months. 

“So, listen,” you said as you both closed up the shop for the day, making your way to the backroom to grab your belongings. “I was thinking, if you’re willing that is...” you paused, blushing at the request you had for him.

“What is it?” Severus noticed you anxiously lowering your gaze to the ground, tucking your hair behind your ear as you walked with your hands clamped shut. Something you only did when you were nervous. He looked down at you as he slipped his fingers between yours in comfort knowing his touch helped you loosen a little. 

“Well, school starts up next week and we still need to buy our textbooks before heading to London. We’ve saved up a lot of money, so I was thinking, maybe we could head to Diagon Alley a day early and-” 

“Take a room at the Leaky Cauldron and catch the train the next day?” 

You giggled as he finished your sentence and quickly spun you around when you stepped through into the dimmed backroom, pulling you into his embarrass by your waist. “Yes,” you whispered. “Exactly.” You wrapped your arms tightly around his neck and peered into his dark eyes. 

Severus felt like you’d pulled him out of a coma this summer, like the definition of joy he’d known for so long was a lie. It was odd how he’d always looked forward to the end of summer, but this year, especially with his father now out of his life, he wanted nothing more than to spend eternity running around with you in the large town of Cokeworth he’d never thought of exploring until you’d dragged him down to every corner, every store the place he’d grown up had to offer. Who knew how far the lake actually stretched, or how vacant the lots were up north. 

He’d watched so many Muggles file through Mr.Davis’s little bookstore, at least more than he’d expected (which was a count less than the number of people who’d chosen to live on Spinner’s End). He’d stocked up on so many books, lining the walls of his home with as many as his mother would allow. He’d never read as much as he did this summer, never smiled or laughed so much in his life. And he couldn’t believe it was coming to an end. 

“Shall I meet you at the bus station Sunday morning?” he asked. You tilted your head and smiled, pulling on his collar to bring him closer as you bit your lip. 

“I have a better idea,” you whispered, your eyes flickering between your hands and the crisp features of his face.

“Oh?”

“Why don’t you sneak into my room Saturday night,” you whispered, lingering your lips over his, denying him the satisfaction of the kiss you so teasingly offered, “And we can fly to Diagon Alley on my broom.”

Severus’ eyes flickered, the corner of his lips twitching into a loving smile. “Are you sure you want me sleeping over?” His voice so delicate, his fingers softly grazing against your cheek like he was afraid of shattering you. Severus didn’t want you to feel obligated to let him into your personal space having learned the hard way the consequences of doing such a thing uninvitingly. 

“I’d love to have you over,” you smiled at him, tilting your head and leaning into his touch. “No one will notice. My room is small, but it’s all mine.”

Severus let his fingers drift down to follow your jaw, hooking under your chin. He brought your gaze up, his eyes searching yours. You slipped your hands down his chest and took fists full of his shirt, lightly tugging forward, daring him to make a move. 

“I can always just wake up early and meet you at your place if you’d prefer.” He almost choked on his words watching the lust swim in your eyes. You smirked, listening to his voice crack in defeat. He didn’t mean what he said, you knew he was only concerned about overstepping. 

“No, we both need our sleep,” you said pressing your fists into his chest, pushing him away ever so slightly. “Besides, you’d have to wake up way too early to come over before sunrise if we want to stay hidden from Muggles while flying.”

“Mmm, how dare they wake up and look at the clear summer sky,” he mumbled sarcastically, watching as you took a step back, pulling him along with you until you let him go completely and made your way to the back of the room.

“Yes, what type of animal would do such a thing,” you jokingly added. Severus smiled as he walked behind you, watching you slug your bag over your shoulder before doing the same. 

You turned to make your way out when you felt his arm slither around your waist, pulling you into his chest and his lips gently press against your temple. You closed your eyes and revealed in his low self-restraint, taking whatever affection he could get from you.  

“What time do you want me over?” he asked, holding you in place as he spoke. 

“Come by at sunset and I’ll meet you at the bus stop,” you replied before placing a hand on his shoulder and leaving a quick teasing peck on his cheek. 

Severus shot you a quick smile before taking your hand as you both made your way out of the bookshop making plans for the weekend. Summer had come to an end, but that didn’t mean you couldn’t enjoy the little time you had left doing something besides working all day together. 

You’d made this summer absolutely enchanting for him and here you were offering yet another opportunity to lavash in your presence before heading back for your final year at Hogwarts. Even just walking to the bus stop with you now, listening to you plan for the weekend, he felt lightened, like he could listen to you talk all day. 

“How many books did you bring?” you asked, leaning down to pick up two of the packages Severus had set on the ground while waiting for you at the bus stop you’d previously agreed upon. 

“Enough to last us the year,” he said, gripping his Hogwarts luggage in one hand and taking a package from your hand with the other. You lead the way as you hugged his second stack of books, pressing it into your stomach.

“At least we don’t have to buy too many new books this year,” you stated. “We’re even using last year’s book for Transfiguration.” You were rather surprised to see your Professors taking their time as they made their way through the curriculum last year. Though you supposed it made since if they were planning to continue through the rest of the material their textbooks had to offer in your last year. 

“N.E.W.Ts classes normally keep their material concise and focused so it’s rare to see Professors covering a large textbook,” Severus informed you. 

You smiled up at him, loving how much he knew about the Wizarding World and only wished he was there to guide you in your first year. Professor Sprout had been assigned to help you buy textbooks and materials after Dumbledore had come to inform you of your situation. The Herbology Professor was kind and never stopped herself from answering your ridiculous questions, but it would have been a much easier transition if someone your age had been there to help you through it all. 

Your lack of knowledge was probably why you’d found yourself in the library second day at Hogwarts, trying to catch up on everything there was to know about the Wizarding World you’d missed out on the first eleven years of your life. You’d refrained from asking your housemates questions unless absolutely necessary, and though you’d managed to receive grades to contrast with your peers who’d grown up in Wizarding households, it just wasn’t the same. When you’d met Severus, grown close to him, you’d began to rely on his knowledge, grasping at every word, trying to live through the hands on experience his mother had shared with him. 

Even now, talking about your N.W.E.Ts, the information he shared with you was something you would never read in a book. 

“Good, less studying for us,” you said with a huff of content, thinking about a school year with less endless study nights and more visits to Hogsmeade, more time to play Quidditch and simply exist in the presence of your loving boyfriend.

“Mmm, don’t be so quick to assume such a thing. Our N.E.W.Ts exams are done to test the applicability of the skills we learned in each class.”

Your smile was quick to fade as you finally began to understand why you’d gone so in-depth into your subjects last year, regretting focusing so much on Transfiguration rather than split your time evenly between all your classes. Of course, you’d no doubt feel the ramifications of such a decision this year.

“Great,” you mumbled. 

“At least you’ll have Quidditch this year to keep you leveled,” he offered, attempting to bring up your spirits, but his comment clearly didn’t have the effect he’d hoped for as he watched your shoulders drop along with your gaze.

“Right.”

You’d almost forgotten you’d made Captain last year, and you’d planned to create a game plan over the summer to help you manage the team better, but with everything that went on, time slipping away from you so quickly, you hadn’t gotten a moment to think about how you’d hold trials, what types of strategies and moves you’d want the team to learn. 

“You’ll do amazing love,” Severus was quick to throw an arm around your shoulder, pressing his lips to the top of your head in comfort as you arrived at your destination. “I can’t wait to see you back on that broom.”

You smiled to yourself and opened the door for him, gently closing it behind you before making your way up the stairs. Severus followed your quick movements, turning left and watched you head straight for the third door down the hall, opening it and inviting him in. 

He looked around your quaint little sleeping quarters with curiosity glimmering in his eyes. It was smaller than he’d remembered; barely large enough to fit a twin sized bed and a closet with a large pile of books crammed in the corner. Despite its size, it still had his chest warming with amour and every item in that room reminded him of you. 

“What?” you said, placing the package of books in the corner of your room and turning back around to see Severus wearing the most childish smile you’d ever seen. 

“I love your room,” he said as he stepped over towards you, placing the rest of his belongings under your window. 

“No you don’t,” you giggled. “It’s small and sad.”

“But it smells like you,” he said, pulling you in by your waist, your arms wrapping around him. 

“Oh?” You bit your lower lip to keep from smiling. “Is it a smell you like?” you teased. 

“Very much,” he whispered, nudging to capture your lips. You slowly moved a hand to cup his jaw, his thin lips soft against yours. Severus moved his hands to grip your hips before he felt your hand slip from over his shoulder, down to grab his shirt and slowly tug him forward as you walked backwards towards the bed. 

His fingers dug into the fabric of your trousers, parting from your kiss only to turn his head the other way and crash into your lips again as he walked with you. You felt the edge of the bed hit the back of your knees and was about to pull him down, but it was Severus who pressed down on your hips and lunged forward as you both crashed down onto the bed. 

The fall had you both springing apart, and you took the opportunity to slide back to the head of the bed. Severus kneeled, following your slow crawl as you rested your head onto your pillows. You gladly parted your legs and allowed him to place himself between them, your hands quickly finding the collar of his shirt as you pulled him forward to reconnect your lips. 

His hair showered over you as you felt his weight slowly pressing down on you. Severus cautiously lowered himself on top of you, his elbows firmly placed at your sides, propping himself enough to keep from crushing you. 

“I love that you’re here with me,” you said, eyes flickering in lust as you parted.

Severus took in a deep breath, smiling as he moved his lips against yours for one last quick kiss before trailing down to the crook of your neck, sucking and biting your skin. Your hands were quick to dart up from his waist to bury themselves in his hair. You closed your eyes, your heart racing as you focused on every move he made, the feeling of his tongue against your skin sending sparks through your body.

“We should get ready for bed,” he whispered before gently biting your earlobe. Your heart almost stopped at his movements, his lower body pressed against yours, his chest hovering over your own, his voice echoing through your ears. How dare he say you had to stop. 

You groaned in protest, keeping your eyes screwed shut, your hands gripping fists full of his hair, encouraging him to taste every inch of your skin.

“We have to wake up early tomorrow,” he mumbled against your skin, “and don’t forget. This was your idea.”

Your eyes shot open as you huffed in annoyance. “Fine,” you said, pushing him off of you and immediately springing from the bed to retrieve shorts and a tank-top from your dresser. 

Severus watched you open the closet door and reach for the top drawer on the left. He made his way over and wrapped his arms around your waist, pushing you into him and leaving small kisses on your cheek. You closed your eyes a moment, pausing your movements and leaned into his touch before you felt him pull away and make his way to his luggage. 

You quickly found what you were looking for and made your way over to the door, closing it behind you to go change in the washroom. 

Severus had been here less than twenty minutes and yet you’d never felt so at home than in this moment since living here. Despite his irreparable responsible manner, you were glad he’d accepted your invitation to make such a trip together. You’d soon spend two nights in each other’s company and sufficient to say, you were nervous, but excited nonetheless. Your first time at Diagon Alley together, your first Gringotts vault, your first time sleeping at a hotel, one located at the heart of the Wizarding World in London no less. There wasn’t a single thing about tomorrow you dreaded except perhaps the very probable possibility of time betraying your need to cherish every moment and speed up the clock instead. 

You paused outside your bedroom, hand over the doorknob as you smiled to yourself. Opening the door, you found Severus removing the covers before his head shot up to watch you close the door and flick the lights off. He slipped into your bed and waited for you to do the same as you leaned over to turn off the lamp on your bedside table before settling into the bed. He wrapped an arm around your waist and you both squeezed close together, just barely filling up the entire bed as your body easily relaxed not long after.

Severus watched as you effortlessly fell asleep, gently stroking your hair when you’d twitch to help ease your mind as it drifted, feeling thankful he was able to end such a delightful summer with the girl he was so deeply in love with. Sleep didn’t find him for a while; too elated to feel your body completely pressed against his, your breath evening to a constant state as you fell deeper into your dreams. But he eventually found his way, joining you in a deep sleep filled with nothing but love filled dreams.

The sudden sound of a rather obnoxious beeping, rapidly repeating in alarm, had Severus jolting from his spot, leaning on his elbow, failing to remove himself from bed to find the source of such a horrid sound.

“What is that?” he asked, frantically rubbing his eyes.

“My alarm,” you said as you quickly reached over and blindly slammed your hand down on the nightstand to end the suffering you’d put yourself and Severus through. In hindsight, you probably should have warned him last night you’d set it, but his mere presence distracted you, had you forgetting all the plans you had and instead kept you living in the moment. “We need to get ready.”

You turned to face him, any notion to remove yourself from where you lay thrown out the window as your eyes landed on the raven-haired boy beside you, sleep still dwelling around him, his eyelids heavy yet his hair remained slick and rather tidy. 

“What a horrible sound to wake up to,” he mumbled, edging closer to you, his hand slowly moving up and down your side. 

“It gets me up when I need it,” you giggled, closing your eyes as you revealed in his touch. You definitely wouldn’t mind waking up to a Muggle alarm each morning if it meant he was the first thing you’d see when you opened your eyes. 

“It’s still so dark, can’t we stay in bed a little longer?” Severus said in protest, wanting nothing more than to stay wrapped under these covers with you. 

“Sunrise is in a half hour Sev. We need to get going so we won’t be seen.”

He smiled at you, eyes finally cracking open to take in the beautiful sight before him. He could only imagine his luck if he was ever blessed with the opportunity to wake up beside you every day, to kiss you good morning and start his day by simply existing in your company.

You both let out sighs of protest as you removed yourself from your bed to get ready for the long trip ahead. Sneaking around while gathering your things was a bit chaotic, but you managed to escape the premise rather quickly, making your way to the abandoned lot a few blocks over. 

Looking up at the sky, you made the assumption you had a few more minutes until the sun made an appearance, giving you just enough time to find some coverage. It was lucky the sky had decided to fill with clouds today, though perhaps luck had nothing to do with it. You’d always suspected the weather to bend at least somewhat to your needs when Dumbledore had told you of your magical inheritance, always sunny when you were happy, cloudy or sometimes even rainy when you were upset. Of course, it all could have been a coincidence and surely it would have played in your favor during Quidditch rather than occasionally drenching you in rain. But it was nice to think yourself special, unique compared to the other witches and wizards in your world. 

You placed your luggage on the ground and went to jolt open the kickplate of your broom. Severus carefully set down the mountain of luggage he carried as you mounted your broom, lightly kicking off the ground to hover above the surface. You patiently waited, admiring the care he put into securing all his books along with the new suitcases you’d bought together after work one night. It took a lot of convincing, but you finally managed to drag him out to buy new ones. 

Severus threw his leg over your broom as he mounted it behind you, wrapping his left arm around your waist, his right pointing his wand at your luggage. You watched them float off the ground and waited for Severus to give you the go ahead before you kicked off and flew into the air. 

The wind wove through Severus hair, the feeling jarring to him. Last time he’d ridden a broom he’d struggled to mount it, the bloody thing whipping back and forth trying to throw him off as his classmates laughed at him. His own housemates snickering along with Potter and his friends rather than stand up for him. A foolish eleven-year-old boy, lost and mocked by the world. 

He was so absurdly lucky to have met you, to date someone who complimented him so well. You strived where he lacked and held him up at his weakest. You completed one another and it was more than he ever could have asked for.

You had quite the long ride ahead of you and though you were nervous about flying for so long, you accepted the challenge and hoped it would help kick start your flying skills before the new Quidditch season. Of course, it helped to have Severus in your company, supporting you throughout the journey.

“You’re doing great,” you heard him say as he buried his face in the crock of your neck. You were suddenly very glad you’d decided to tie your hair off, completely forgetting how it would be flying in his face right about now if you didn’t. 

You gripped your broom with your right hand, your eyes focused ahead as your left removed itself from its position and gently rubbed the arm encircling your waist. You smiled as you felt him hug you closer, comfortably nuzzling into your neck as you went to grasp his hand, quickly removing it to press your lips to his knuckles in gratitude. 

Severus stiffened, his eyes screwed completely shut when he felt his hold on you fumble, your hand pulling him away from the security of your body. His heart pounded against his chest in fear as his feet planted themselves firmly on the kickplate of your broom. 

“You all right Sev?” you asked, his hand shooting straight back to gripping your waist as you felt his nails dig into your side. He was tense. Something you had never seen before, not even during exam season.

“Fine,” he mumbled against your skin, “Just not a big fan of flying.”

You held your breath in the fear of missing a single word he said. He spoke so softly, voice so low and with the wind howling in your ear, it was hard to listen.

“Oh?” you said invitingly.

“I uh, wasn’t very good in first year,” he stumbled over his words, embarrassed about the mention of his past failures.

“And you haven’t flown a broom since?” you asked, rather shocked at the information you were receiving. 

“No,” he simply stated, turning his attention to the luggage flying beside him in the hopes you’d drop the subject. 

“Well, that needs to change.”

You smiled, secretly accepting the challenge of teaching Severus to fly, though it would obviously have to wait. A trip like this required an experienced flyer and you weren’t about to risk your safety because you wanted your boyfriend to love flying a broom as much as you.

The sun shone bright in the sky as you continued your way to London, rejecting every offer Severus gave of taking a break knowing you wouldn’t be able to regain the coverage the clouds had to offer. 

“We’re nearly there.” You remained fully alert, Severus’ words ringing in your ear.

“How can you tell?” you asked, your hands cramping up after holding onto your broom for so long. You were physically drained from the journey you’d taken, your arms begging to be stretched, your back protesting in pain. Severus was no doubt just as exhausted, having to keep his focus on all your belongs flying next to you. 

“There!” he said, letting you go, pointing through the clouds to a large building down to your left. He shot his arm straight back around your waist not a second later, his hold on you tighter than ever, his muscles aching, a small migraine settling into his temple. “That’s the theater, and there’s the garden.” 

He nudged in the direction he’d pointed out before resting his chin over your shoulder. Holding you so close gave him the strength he needed to power through this trip, and he was sure he’d have passed out from concentrating so hard these last few hours if it wasn’t for your company. “Lower us down a little. See that narrow back alley behind the theater?”

You hummed as you nodded your head. 

“Land us there and we can walk the rest of the way.” 

You immediately leaned down on your broom, pulling it to the left to do as he asked, staying hovered over the thin layer of clouds to keep from being spotted. Severus closed his eyes, face completely buried into your neck as you descended. He felt his stomach drop, his heart pounding against his ribs. This had to be his least favorite part about flying; the descent.

The grip he had on you tightened the further down you flew. You subconsciously went to place a hand over his arm, rubbing circles against the soft fabric of the sweater he wore in comfort. 

“We’re almost there love. Just a bit further,” you said, feeling his stress levels rise as he clenched his jaw. He smiled, his eyes opening just enough to watch you slowly move your hand over his arm. He focused on your touch, suppressing the sound of cruel unwarranted laughter ringing in his ears, clinching on your words instead. 

The ground finally made itself apparent. Severus lifted his head, preparing to land on his feet and settle the luggage down. You slowly hovered yourselves down as opposed to the quick abrupt stop you’d normally opt for in the hopes of easing Severus down. Your feet landed firmly on the concrete of the road before you slowly propped up your broom, Severus lowering your luggage to the ground. You pushed the kickplate back in place and watched as he leaned against the wall of the theater, slowly letting his body give way as he lowered himself to the ground. You quickly set your broom alongside the rest of your belongings before heading over and crouching down with him.

Severus felt his stomach turn, the soft touch of your fingers gently pushing away his hair distracting him from the dizziness and slight nausea.

“You okay?” you whispered, running your fingers through his hair. Severus simply buried his face into your chest and wrapped his arms around you, matching his breaths to the beat of your steady heart. You were an amazing flyer and he wouldn’t have asked you for anything more, but he didn’t feel as though he’d ever get over that tragic moment in first year, the beginning of a very long run of jokes and pranks. 

You checked your watch and realized you’d arrived faster than initially anticipated. The clock hadn’t even struck eight yet and you were thankful you’d powered through the trip, giving Severus a bit of time to recover. Pecking the top of his head, you soothed him until he motioned to remove himself from where he sat. You both removed your sweaters and stuffed them into your suitcases, along with your broom before making headway towards Diagon Alley. 

The street was just as magical as you’d remembered. The few wizards and witches out this early dressed in robes. You could see Olivander a few shops down unlocking his store, the sign that normally hung above the window springing forward as soon as he opened the door. Lights began to illuminate the windows of open shops, their owners no doubt preparing for the storm of Hogwarts students that was to come

Passing by the Leaky Cauldron, you both made your way to Gringotts, taking advantage of your early arrival and beating the line at the bank, knowing how much time it would take to set up two entirely new vaults as opposed to simply converting your Muggle money like you’d both done in previous years. The ceiling was much higher than you’d anticipated, pillars of gold stone lining the walls behind the Goblins working at their desk. The design on the marble stone below your feet circling in slow movements. Magic filled the air and you suddenly felt nostalgic walking up to the clerk at the front who asked for your wand. You stood there a while before he handed you a key announcing your vault number and returning your wand. He asked you both to follow the Goblin to his left after Severus opened his own vault, handing him his key and wand. 

The quick trip down to your vaults had your stomach flipping in anger and you suddenly wished you’d gone to the Leaky cauldron first to lie down for Severus’ sake. You were amazed by how quickly they’d converted the Muggle currency you’d handed over, stashing it in your vault before you’d even arrived. Grabbing a generous amount of Galleons, you stuffed your money bag to its brim and quickly made your way back to the cart that took you to Severus’ vault. He did the same and quickly jumped back in, asking the Goblin to take you to the exit.

“I’m exhausted.” you said, setting down your luggage and throwing yourself on the king-sized bed of the room you’d taken at the Leaky Cauldron. 

You hadn’t realized just how much you’d saved up from previous summers until Severus shared with you how much he’d made working with you these last few months. Still he insisted on splitting the cost of your shared room despite your offer to pay for it yourself. 

“So am I.” Severus plopped himself next to you, the bed bouncing as his weight hit the mattress. You smiled and brought your attention to him as he turned on his side. “But we still have some shopping to do,” he whispered into your ear, throwing his arm over your waist and nuzzled closer to you as he closed his eyes. 

You wrapped your arm around him, feeling his body semi-atop you finally relaxing. Shopping. Like he’d be thinking about something so energy consuming when he couldn’t even keep his eyes open. “Can we rest for an hour before we join the chaos?” 

“Sure, love. Whatever you need,” he mumbled, making himself quite comfortable in your arms. You smiled at his words knowing perfectly well he needed to rest far more than you. Naturally, you’d take any opportunity to lie there next to him, his scent filling your nostrils, his arms greedily wrapped around you, though you were rather excited to explore Diagon Alley with him, especially when the list of your needed school supplies was so short. 

Severus felt your chest rise and fall under his arm, his heartbeat finally settling into place, a rather calming rhythm playing against his chest as he moved his arm up enough to place them under your clothed breasts. He moved his right leg between yours and contently let out a soft purr as you wove your fingers in his hair. He’d very gladly hex the person who told him he couldn’t stay in this exact position the rest of his life and though he very well intended to do just that, the time came when you both had to drag yourself from bed and head to replenish your potion ingredients and buy the few new textbooks needed for the new school year before retiring for dinner. 

“Sev, look!” you gasped, immediately joining the crowd around the window outside Quality Quidditch Supplies. You edged as close as you could get, pressing your nose against the glass. “It’s the new Quicksilver six!” Your eyes lit up with joy, what little energy you had left spiraling out of you as excitement, your eyes hooked on every inch of the broom on display. “That’s my Quidditch number,” you whined. 

Truth be told you’d been saving for quite a while to buy a new broom, the one you had was good and all, but it was an old model, much slower than those you competed with. This had to be the perfect opportunity to splurge a little, a clear sign from the universe to end your last year at Hogwarts with a bang, carrying a broom whose model matched your Quidditch Number.

“You look like you’re seriously considering purchasing it,” Severus said watching you fall head over heels for the broom in front of you. 

“I-Well, I just want this last year to go off without a hitch and that means winning the Quidditch Cup. This broom is said to be five times faster than the one I have. Imagine Sev, how fast I can fly with it!”

You couldn’t help but long over the broom wishing you’d one day afford such a luxurious item. But it seemed for now, you’d have to either settle for your current broom or a model much less expensive than this one. 

“I can pitch in if you like.”

You spun your head back in his directions, eyes wide. It was such a sweet offer, he knew how much this meant to you and it was absolutely adoring to see him want to support you in such a way especially after you’d learned how he felt about flying.  

“N-no Sev, I’d never ask that.” You shock your head, dismissing the idea of sharing such a hefty price tag when you both had worked so hard to save up.

“I’m offering,” he said, taking your hand and looking you in the eye when he saw you lower your gaze. 

“You sure?” you whispered, giving him a sheepish smile.

“Absolutely,” he said, nodding his head, loving the exhilarated look that washed over your face as you quickly took his hand and practically ran through the door of the shop. Any amount of Galleons was worth seeing that look on your face, like a little girl celebrating her birthday, skipping back to your room, holding her new broom like it was her most cherished item she owned. 

It took a lot of convincing to tear you from your room, leaving the broom behind to grab dinner but he finally managed to drag you downstairs for a quick bite before he found himself sitting on the bed, admiring the look in your eyes as you lay on the ground, fingers going over every detail of your new broom. 

“It’s absolutely stunning Sev, thank you! I’d never have bought it without your help.” You’d done nothing but thank him all day after he'd practically emptied out his money bag, having to go back to the bank to refill it after dinner. 

“Come up here,” he said, patting the empty spot beside him, “we’ve both had a long day and are in desperate need of rest.” Not to mention that this was the first time he’d had a king-sized bed to share with you and he was more than ready to take advantage of the few hours you had left before you both nodded off to sleep.

You looked up from your broom and watched his eyes twinkle. How could you deny him after what he’d done for you today, that look he gave you reeling you in. Pressing your lips together, you tried to repress the smile that made its way onto your face as you quickly stood up and began crawling to the head of the bed. 

“I think this was the best summer I’ve ever had,” you said happily joining Severus, making yourself comfortable, placing your head on the pillow as you stretched out your back. 

“You know,” he spoke softly as he carefully adjusted to climb on top of you, caging you beneath him with his arms and legs on either side of you, “I bet my summer was better than yours,” he said as he peppered you with kisses all over your cheeks, jaw and neck. You giggled, throwing your head back in lust as you let your hands freely explore the contours of his body. 

“How do you figure?” You pushed on his chest, flipping him over and straddled his waist as you began to return his kisses. 

“I got to spend it with the most amazing girl. She’s beautiful,” he said as he held your waist, enjoying your lips pressed against his jaw. “She loves the same books I do.” His eyes closed in adoration as one hand slid up, burying his fingers in your hair. “She’s brilliant…” A shallow breath escaped him when he felt your teeth lightly graze against that special spot of his. “You’d love her.”

You pulled yourself from him, shoving him onto his back at his last sentence and began to chuckle, settling yourself into his lap as you bit your lower lip. Letting your smile overtake you, you moved his hands from your waist down to your hips, silently inviting him to do a little exploring of his own. 

“Tell me more,” you whispered before leaning back down, connecting your lips. Once parted, you tucked some of your hair behind your ear before shifting down to leave gentle love marks all over his neck.

Severus cautiously moved his hands up over the sides of your breasts as you undid the top button of his shirt and began to nip at his collarbone. You moaned and pressed yourself closer to him as you felt him gently moving his thumbs to rest atop the underlining of your bra. He smiled when he saw how pleased his motions made you. Feeling a rush of confidence course through him, he quickly pushed you over so he was back on top. He began to slowly unbutton your shirt, kissing every inch of new skin that was revealed to him, lingering his lips over your skin before moving further down. 

“You are the kindest,” he said between kisses, “Most beautiful. Most caring. Person I have ever met. And I love you. So much.”

You smiled and closed your eyes as he trailed kisses above your left cup down to the center of your chest. He didn’t want to push any further, so he settled for trailing his tongue over your exposed cleavage, lavishing in your taste. Pausing at the center of your chest, between your breasts, he began to suck and bite, until he was sure there was a mark, his right hand trailed down the curve of your body, resting on your hip. You moaned each time he lightly bit down, his hand squeezing your thigh as you buried your fingers in his hair, bringing him closer, occasionally tug when you felt your heart skip a beat. 

Your body temperatures rose as you continued to lose yourselves in each other’s touch. His thin figure fitting perfectly between your legs, his lips complimenting your own. You were living in absolute bliss, having you dread the separation that was to come tomorrow when arriving at Hogwarts. 

You could understand the split between girls and boys of each year but being split by houses had to be the most ridiculous rule the school enforced, and you never hated it more than you did now. If only you’d been sorted in Slytherin along with Severus, you could have spent all night in the common room by the fireplace or perhaps he’d allow you to sneak into his dorm and sleep next to him. 

You’d failed to mention it, but the night before when he’d slept in your bed had been the most comforting and restful night you had. Tonight of course was no different as you found yourself huddled against his chest despite the large amount of space the bed had to offer. Perhaps it was all for the best. If you’d been sorted into the same house, surely, you’d become sick of one another and that was the last thing you wanted. 

It was only a year. Less than that, it was ten months. Ten months and you’d finally be free of the forced separation between you and Severus. Ten months and you could start your life with the boy you adored so much. You just had to hold on for ten more months.

 You woke up first the next day and looked up to see Severus fast asleep, his chest so subtly rising and falling beneath you. He looked so peaceful with his hair covering half his face, mouth slightly ajar, soft breaths escaping his lips as he dreamt. He had one arm around your waist, the other placed over yours which lay on his chest; his grip on you so firm despite his deep slumber. Still you managed to slip your hand from under his to brush hair out of his face, careful not to wake him.  

Settling back down into place, you peeked over to the clock hanging on the wall and decided to let him sleep for another hour before you had to leave to catch the train. You both needed the rest after the long day you’d had yesterday. Plus, it wouldn’t hurt to stay lying next to one another a while longer. 

You felt soothed in his arms, the daylight sun peeking through the curtains and illuminating your room. Nothing would have made that hour any better except the absence of time’s obnoxious decision to run away from you. 

Sighing as the clock struck ten thirty, you leaned back up and began to kiss his neck, then his jaw, then his cheek, until you reached his soft lips. 

Severus shifted when he felt the familiar feeling of your loving kisses and opened his eyes just as you pecked him on the lips. He smiled before jolting forwards, reconnecting your lips for a proper kiss and hummed contently as you parted.

“Morning,” he said, eyes half open, voice raspy, still half asleep. 

“Morning,” you replied softly. “We need to get ready to catch the train.” You leaned up on your elbows, lying beside him as you watched him rub his eyes and turn towards the clock.

Severus immediately sat up in shock as he went to reread the time, hoping his eyes were deceiving him. 

“I meant to wake up two hours ago,”’ he said. “I wanted to eat breakfast with you.” He turned towards you, the disappointment in his voice filling the room. 

Sitting up, you cupped his cheek and searched his eyes. He looked absolutely devastated, and it broke your heart. “We can eat on the train,” you said, trying to compromise with his plans and time’s betrayal.

Severus bowed and lowered his gaze in dismay. He knew the time you had together was limited and wanted the last day you had together to be perfect before the Hogwarts Houses separated you both. This was the last day he could have shared a meal with you, and it was ruined by the simple act of oversleeping, something he’d never done until today. 

“I’m going to miss eating with you,” he mumbled. “Sleeping next to you.” He brought his gaze back to you and smiled. The weekend hadn’t gone exactly as planned, but it was the best getaway he could have ever dreamt of having. 

“I know,” you whispered, taking his hand, his fingers dancing with yours before intertwining with one another. “Me too.”

It was hard to stay positive and remove yourself from the safety of this bed when you knew you’d be headed to ten months of secrecy, hiding your love for a Slytherin from your house and constantly working to find time alone.

“Come on,” you said, finally jolting from the bed. “If we hurry, we can grab a snack before we leave.” 

Severus smiled as he followed your move and began packing everything, preparing for the ride to Hogwarts. He always used to count down the days till the Hogwarts Express took him back home, but this had to be the one and only time he’d instead begun counting down to the day he knew he’d dread. The day he knew he’d find himself clinging to you before he was forced to let you go. The day that had finally arrived, having him reset his counter as he began to count the days until graduation.

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Next Chapter

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