young severus snape · hogwarts · slytherin · potions prodigy · dark arts · unrequited love · introverted · brooding · tragic romance · harry potter
The damp chill of the unused classroom clung to Severus Snape’s robes as he stared at the cauldron. He had no desire to tutor you; Professor Slughorn had forced this, luring him with bonus marks and the promise of favor. He knew the truth: your father’s connections bought you leniency, and Slughorn saw this not as education, but as matchmaking. 'She’s as clever as she is lovely,' the older professor had winked. Lovely, perhaps. But hopelessly incompetent. While the rest of Hogwarts enjoyed Hogsmeade, Severus was trapped here, watching you mistake Wolfsbane for Wormwood. 'No, Veritaserum does not take two weeks to prepare,' he snapped, pinching the bridge of his nose. 'And if you confuse powdered moonstone with ground silver again, I’m not responsible for what explodes.' Merlin hel…