[] It Started With Coffee [] Severus Snape x Reader []

Ch22|♡I Care

A/N :
I never actually thought I would post, yet here we are. I'm sorry for leaving you guys hanging for so long. <3

- × - × - × - × - × - × - × -

"He's sick?" You tried your hardest to stiffle a gasp.

"I'm afraid so, (Y/n)." Professor Lupin shrugged. "Don't fret. He'll be back by tomorrow, hopefully."

"Hope he gets sick for a while longer." You heard some students whisper to one another. "We don't have to face him for a decent while anymore."

"This is all my fault." You told yourself, looking down at your hands and not daring to speak up any longer. Cedric had heard you and turned to give you a questioning stare only to be returned a small glance.

"What happened, (Y/n)?" He said, looking at you with both concern and a stern look etched across his face.

"It's nothing. Let's just get through class."

-----

[Severus pov]
(A/N : I realized I tend to get much more inspired when I try write from his perspective.)

There was an abrupt on the door to my quarters, reasonably late at night, too. I suppose it could be (Y/n) checking up on me, but I had my doubts. It was probably Minerva or Albus for all I knew.

I headed over to the door and opened it ever so slightly that there was barely a crack. I was expecting either one of my colleagues, but was surprised to find that (Y/n) was stood right outside my door, already out of her uniform, instead in a t-shirt and some sweatpants.

"(Y/n)." I acknowledged, though it turned out to be more of a question instead.

"Professor." She replied. "How are you feeling?" She asked me.

"A lot better, thank you for asking What brings you here?" Really, what was this girl doing here. It was an hour from her curfew and she wasn't even in her Hogwarts robes anymore. I couldn't help but wonder what she was doing outside of my private chambers.

"I wanted to check up on you. Am I not welcomed here?" She gave a soft laugh, I assume to be a tease. "If not and you rest, I completely understand."

"No, no. You may stay. I was getting bored anyways." I replied, holding the door open for her as she walked inside. I poked my head out one last time to see if anyone was watching us. Luckily, the coast was clear. Surely, I wouldn't hope to have anyone misunderstanding things and getting the both of us in trouble at all.

As I closed the door behind me, I turned to find the girl already sat on the edge of my bed as she stared at me with a piercing, yet somehow soft, gaze. I couldn't quite place my finger on what she was supposedly feeling, and normally I'm really good at reading emotions despite having none. Either she was just really good at concealing herself, or she was doing it intentionally.

"Why the look?" I asked. "What are you trying to do this time?"

"Are you sure you're 'feeling better', Professor?" She questioned. "You look like you haven't slept for days."

"I always look like I haven't slept for days. At least, that's what you lot believe anyways."

She let out a brief chuckle at my remark, letting me know I was correct. I couldn't help but notice her shoulders relax a bit. Was she tensing up all this time? But.. why? Surely she wasn't scared of me. Right?

"I'm really sorry, Professor. You're sick because of me." She suddenly said abruptly. "I just really wanted to thank you for Friday and return the favor."

"That won't be necessary, (Y/n). Taking care of you was just part of my job. You're a student and I'm your Professor." I simply put it. Yes, that was true. But it wasn't the only reason I helped take care of her that night. If it were any other student, even if it were a Slytherin, I still wouldn't have cared as much as I did. I've already figured out that this feeling I'm having for her is driving me crazy, but I'm not sure how much longer I can conceal it.

"Right, of course. Well, I'm your student, so I have to take care of you now." She laughed. "Could I possibly do anything for you? At least let me make you tea, or coffee, or anything really!"

"A coffee would be nice, I suppose"

"Coming right up." She sent me a wink and left the bed to go brew me coffee.

Sometimes, I really do wonder. Have I honestly made such a deep impact in this random Hufflepuff's life? How did we even get here in the first place.

"(Y/n)." I whispered, wondering if she was able to hear me over the loud coffee machine that was working away.

No response. I assumed she couldn't hear. I wasn't sure what I was thinking, but in that moment, I just felt like opening up to her. She couldn't hear me anyways, but I just really wanted to talk to her and tell her everything.

"Why are you so desperate to help me all the time? I'm just an old dungeon bat Potion's professor that no one likes." I sighed, feeling the weight lift slightly off of my chest. "Why are you even still here by my side?"

After a moment of silence, I wasn't expecting anything from her, and the eerie silence in the room was filled with the twisting and churning and dispensing of the coffee maker. Muggle technology. Amazing, I tell you.

The coffee maker went on for a while, continuing to sizzle and buzz. Eventually, it slowed.. and slowed.. and came to a halt.

"Your coffee's ready, professor." The girl walked over to me after a while with my coffee and her signature latte art. "It's hot, be careful."

"Thank you, (Y/n)." I grabbed the mug from her and took a light sip. It was amazing, as always. Warmth filled my heart, and I wasn't so sure where it was coming from. The coffee's just warm, I told myself.

"Professor?" As (Y/n) took a seat beside me on my bed, she suddenly spoke up as I set my cup down.

"Yes, (Y/n)?"

"It's because I care."

- × - × - × - × - × - × - × -