Unexpected Fate (Severus Snape x Reader)

The door to the house at Spinner's End creaked open, and we stumbled inside, our arms laden with bags. The icy wind rushed in behind us, carrying a flurry of snowflakes that scattered across the dark wooden floor.

"Quickly," Severus muttered, his voice low but urgent as he reached past me to push the door shut. With a sharp click, the bitter chill was locked out, replaced by the familiar stillness of the house.

I looked around, brushing snowflakes from my coat. Nothing had changed. The narrow hallway, the worn but sturdy furniture, the faint scent of old books and wood smoke—it was exactly as I remembered it from my last visit. Somehow, that brought a strange sense of comfort.

Severus turned to me and wordlessly reached for my coat. His long, pale fingers brushed mine as he helped me shrug it off, and I handed it to him. He hung it neatly on the coat rack, his movements as precise as ever.

"Take your time to settle in," he said, his deep voice calm and measured. His dark eyes lingered on mine for a moment before he turned and strode into the living room.

I stood there for a moment, letting the quiet of the house wash over me. Outside, the wind howled faintly, but inside, it was still. I could hear Severus moving about in the next room, the sound of wood clinking softly against metal as he arranged logs in the fireplace.

Gripping the strap of my bag, I made my way upstairs to the small bedroom where I had stayed during my last visit. The creak of the stairs beneath my boots echoed softly, adding to the house's quiet charm. Pushing open the door, I stepped inside and set my bag down near the neatly made bed.

The room was simple, just as I remembered it. A modest wooden bed frame, a small wardrobe, and a single lamp on the nightstand. The window was frosted with snow, the glass shimmering faintly in the dim light.

As much as Hogwarts was my home, Spinner's End had a warmth all its own—perhaps because this was Severus's sanctuary.

From downstairs, I heard the crackle of flames as he coaxed the fire to life. Smiling softly to myself, I unzipped my bag and began unpacking a few things. The thought of the days ahead, just the two of us away from the world, made my chest tighten with anticipation.

I ran my hand across the bedspread, smoothing out a wrinkle, before heading back downstairs to join him.

As I descended the stairs, the warmth from the fire began to spread through the house, chasing away the lingering chill. I found Severus standing in the living room, his tall frame silhouetted against the flickering light of the flames. His back was to me as he adjusted the firewood, ensuring the blaze burned steadily.

Quietly, I stepped closer, stopping just behind him. Without a word, I wrapped my arms around his waist, resting my cheek against the broad expanse of his back. For a moment, neither of us spoke, the crackling of the fire filling the silence.

"I'm so happy to be here with you," I murmured, my voice soft but steady.

Severus stilled for a heartbeat before his hands moved to rest over mine, his fingers curling gently against my skin. Slowly, he turned to face me, his dark eyes meeting mine. The firelight danced across his sharp features.

He reached up with one hand, his fingers brushing against my cheek before lightly gripping my chin, tilting my face toward his. The movement was tender yet confident.

His gaze flickered briefly to my lips before returning to my eyes. A shadow of hesitation passed over his face, so fleeting I might have imagined it. Then, without another word, he leaned in. His lips brushed against the corner of my mouth—deliberate, unhurried..