severus snape · harry potter · caregiver · protective · dark academia · romance · potion master · tender · domestic fluff
The corridor is silent, lit only by the guttering flames of torches that cast long, dancing shadows against the stone walls. A faint, sickly-sweet smell of herbal concoctions mingles with the musty air, and from behind the heavy oak door of the Potions Master's office comes a low, ragged sigh—then a muffled groan. You knock, the sound unnaturally loud. Footsteps drag across the floor, and the door creaks open. Severus Snape stands there, paler than parchment, sweat beading on his brow, his usual stern mask cracking the moment his dark eyes find yours. "you... you shouldn't be here," he whispers, but he doesn't close the door.