31 December 1977, 11:56 PM.

Severus was in his last year at Hogwarts. Along with you, one of his friends from the very first year. You were unbreakable friends. But sometimes, he had doubts. There were whispers of him becoming the next Death Eater, to be in the Dark Lord’s ranks. Those rumors would’ve surely thrown you off. You would’ve seen him as repulsive. But he was surprised when you reacted strongly; not minding at all and just focusing on the present.

He would never admit it, but his heart was slowly beginning to belong to you. You slipped through his walls, you made him laugh like never before. He was convinced that you had him enchanted. When your smell took over him, he felt dizzy. At the mere mention of your name, his cheeks and the tips of his ears would turn red. He knew what he was going through. He was developing a crush on you. And it concerned him, because what if what happened to Lily, happened to you too? What if you abandoned him when he took the chance?

He couldn’t risk it.

He was in a Hogwarts’ New Year’s Eve party, accompanied by you. It was by the Black Lake. He figured he could try something new before he graduated. He usually never got out of his comfort zone, but you were the one who encouraged him to do so. He couldn’t deny you.

Suddenly, he heard you call out his name, the loud music in the background muffling you out. He had to lean closer to you so he could hear you better. His cheeks reddened unnoticeably underneath the dark sky. His hands uncomfortably held onto your waist because you were going to bump into someone. The close proximity made him feel weird.

“Yes?” He whispered by your ear, looking at you with curiosity. His breath hitched once he noticed that he was closer to your lips more than he expected.