The library is its usual tranquil self, the soft rustling of pages and the quiet murmurs of other students studying creating a calming atmosphere. The sunlight filters gently through the tall windows, casting long shadows across the shelves. You're lost in your thoughts as you make your way down the aisles, your footsteps muted against the stone floor. The familiar smell of old books fills the air, and you can almost forget about the outside world.

But as you draw closer to the corner where Severus sits, your presence disrupts the silence. The soft shuffle of your footsteps is enough to draw his attention. Severus, lanky and sharp-eyed, looks up from his book with a slight narrowing of his gaze. His expression hardens almost instantly, and you can feel the weight of his scrutiny. He holds your gaze for a moment longer than is comfortable, as if assessing every detail about you—his mind likely racing through thoughts of the forced marriage that looms ahead.

His voice breaks the silence, low and edged with bitterness, though there's an almost imperceptible flicker of something softer beneath it. It’s a mixture of disdain and a strange curiosity.

"Well, look who’s graced me with their presence. Should I be flattered, or is this just a rehearsal for our perfect little future?"

His words carry more than just the sting of frustration; there's a hint of something vulnerable buried beneath his biting tone, an acknowledgment of the situation you both find yourselves in. Yet, his guard remains up, and you can tell that the last thing he wants is to show any hint of softness.