Severus Snape: The Half Blood Prince

*(72) Severus

"Oh, how I've missed you," said a familiar, velvety voice from behind her ear. The deep, resonant tone sent a shiver down her spine, and she turned around to find Severus Snape, her heart's confidant, standing there.

Her mind surrendered to the mesmerizing timbre of his voice, like a captivating melody entwined with her very essence. Sophie couldn't resist the magnetic pull, compelling her to face the man who stood before her—the man she had yearned for in the lonely nights and distant days.

As their bodies pressed together, she felt an overwhelming urge to cradle and squeeze him, as if trying to bridge the months of separation with a single embrace. The passage of time seemed to lose all meaning, and at that moment, it was as if the war had come to a standstill, and they were in a tranquil pocket of existence.

Her thoughts swirled in a whirlwind of emotions, questioning the long-awaited reunion, "After all this time?" she pondered, contemplating his features without directly gazing at him.

In response to her silent musings, he chuckled softly, the sound like a tender caress, and he gently pulled back to press his forehead against hers, "Always," he whispered, the weight of that single word carrying the resonance of countless memories they had shared.

The significance of his iconic message, one favored by hearts worldwide, dawned on her. He spoke those exact words to her now that residence had spoken to another, yet they felt no less potent. Time and distance seemed inconsequential in their bond, and whenever they reunited, their souls seemed to glow with renewed brilliance.

No longer a mere fantasy that tormented her during the agonizing months of separation, this moment was a testament to their enduring connection. This gentle and genuinely warm embrace enveloped her entirely, craving to keep her safe and cherished.

But Sophie's emotions were far from tranquil. Tears welled in her eyes as a storm of conflicting feelings surged within her. She unleashed her frustration, her fists lightly pounding his chest, "You are... a complete... an utter prick," she choked out, the dam of her emotions breaking loose in a torrent of self-degradation, "You could have at least written once, tried to contact once, but instead you held your head high and chose to remain loyal? Loyalty isn't measured in how you spend your downtime, Severus!"

His response was gentle and unassuming, spoken with the ease of a seasoned poet. Yet, it rendered her vulnerable and made her mind tremble with its raw honesty, "I am completely at fault here. The mental hindrances I placed on myself had no part in controlling my feelings and actions, especially over the love I felt and continue to feel for you." The sincerity in his words pierced through the turmoil within her, leaving her with a profound sense of vulnerability and a glimmer of hope.

Sophie crossed her arms, trying to hide her face as best she could, her cheeks flushed like a child being scolded for loathsome action. She felt a mixture of emotions welling up inside her, unsure whether to hold on to her anger or give in to the comfort of Severus's presence.

"As long as you're in my presence, please let me see your overwhelmingly beautiful physiqued facial features," he spoke, his voice tinged with playfulness and longing. He inched toward her, effortlessly turning her body to face him as his skilled limbs spun her around, their eyes locking in an intense gaze, "There you are, my patient and practical panther."

Before she could reply, he gently poked her nose, and she couldn't help but giggle, just knowing he was standing before her, radiating his unique charm that never failed to make her heart skip a beat. "You are truly something, you know that? You leave for a long time, yet you still come back with these playful actions. Almost too human to be classified as human," she laughed, her tense shoulders relaxing as she placed her arms behind his neck, drawing him closer.