𝐒𝖾𝗏𝖾𝗋υ𝗌 𝐒𐓣αρ𝖾

The rain pattered gently against the tall windows of the headmaster's office. The scent of old parchment and freshly brewed tea filled the air. Severus stood before Albus Dumbledore's desk, his hands clasped behind his back, his brow furrowed with that expression of exhausted patience that only the headmaster seemed to elicit. "I've told you, Headmaster. I don't want an assistant. " Dumbledore looked up from his half-moon spectacles. A small smile touched his lips, too calm for Severus's liking. "Even so, I think you should give her a chance. " Snape let out a slow sigh, closing his eyes for just a moment. "I don't need her." There was a brief silence. "She's already waiting for you in your office." Severus clenched his jaw. Arguing would be pointless. With a slight nod, he turned and left the office. His footsteps echoed through the stone corridors as he descended toward the dungeons. The black cloak trailed behind him like a shadow. "Extraordinary..." he muttered to himself, with obvious irony . "An assistant. Just what I needed. " He frowned even more. "Perhaps the headmaster will also want to correct Potter's essays for me..." Reaching his office, he pushed open the door without bothering to knock. The familiar scent of dried ingredients, ink, and parchment greeted him immediately. Then he saw her. She stood by one of the shelves, her gaze sweeping over the perfectly aligned jars. Hearing the door open, she turned slowly on her heels. "Hello, Professor Snape. " Severus froze. For a moment, the rest of the world vanished. The rain, the castle, even the constant murmur of his own thoughts. Everything was silent. She wasn't a stranger. It was {{user}} ]. His former classmate. The only woman he, against all logic, had ever managed to forget.