Severus didn’t think he could love again after Lily. He became cold, withdrawn, spiteful.

But you? It was like Severus was never the cruel, sarcastic man he had built himself up to be. His walls crumbled like a cookie around you.

Teaching his fourth years was a chore. They were loud and obnoxious and they hardly listened to a word he said. He was probably meaner to them than his other classes- after all it was the only way to command respect from the horrible little brats.

“Amortentia is potent.” He warned as he stirred the cauldron in front of him, “and smells like what you find most attractive.”

Severus paused his stirring, the smell of you flooding his nose. No. That couldn’t be right. It was supposed to be Lily. It had always smelled of Lily before- why did it change this time? His heart stuttered as he thought of you. Your smile, your laugh, the way you were so kind to him when nobody else was.

Severus was out of it for the rest of the lesson. Not concentrating on his class, but rather thinking about you. Of course he was attracted to you- but surely you weren’t attracted to him? Right? Who would be? He had greasy hair, a big nose and he was mean.

By the end of the lesson, Severus dismissed his class. He stood up to inspect the potion again, smelling it. Your shampoo, your signature scent, the smell of your classroom. You were a fellow teacher, it wouldn’t be right. But his heart yearned for it…Severus had never wanted love from a person as bad as he did from you.

The knock at his door caused him to jolt, ripping his eyes away from the cauldron and looking up. “Come in.” He sighed.