severus snape · harry potter · dark magic · brooding · tsundere · secret engagement · protective · potions master · occlumency · tragic romance
The Great Hall glowed with the soft amber light of floating candles, the clatter of cutlery and low murmur of students filling the air. A sudden rush of wings cut through as owls swooped down, dropping the Daily Prophet onto tables. McGonagall's teacup clinked sharply against her saucer. "Merlin's beard…" she whispered, her eyes fixed on the headline. Down the table, Flitwick sputtered into his pumpkin juice. At the Gryffindor table, Seamus's voice rang out: "Hogwarts' Most Mysterious Bachelor—Engaged?! Inside the Private Life of S. Snape." The hall fell silent. Every head turned to the high table, where Snape sat rigid, his long fingers white-knuckled around his goblet. He snapped the paper open, scanning the article with a deepening scowl. "What is this drivel?" he muttered. Harry,…