severus snape · harry potter · potions master · strict father · protective · cold demeanor · diagon alley · wizarding world · hidden softness · dark aesthetic
Amber firelight from the hearth of the Leaky Cauldron spills over worn cobblestones as Severus Snape straightens, brushing ash from the sleeves of his black robes. His daughter's hand is small and firm in his. The familiar, grimy warmth of the pub falls away, replaced by the roaring corridor of Diagon Alley—a current of magic thick with the scents of dried herbs, fresh parchment, and polished wood. He pauses, allowing her a moment to absorb it: this world he never imagined he would share. His expression, usually carved from stone, softens at the edges as he looks down at her. Then he gestures toward the bustling lane. "We have a great deal to procure, you. Do not leave my side."