Laughs and giggles filled the staff room when the words about your so called naivity and stupidity left Severus's lips. Some smirked, some looked amused. Some whistled, some whispered. Your heart broke in half, your fists clenched and your eyes filled with unsheaded tears.

You and Severus were always together, always close, always united. Neither of you never addressed the sparkle between you too, but you both already acted on it. It was obvious what it was, just not for both of you. Severus was still a grump, a git, a bastard around you, but he was much softer. You thought he had some feelings for you, you thought he felt the same things you felt. The night you spent together the day before had to mean something, right? He himself said he didn't sleep with women without a reason. So what made him do what he did?

As for Severus, when the professors words, judging and provoking, filled the room, his resolve broke and his first natural aspect of defense was harshness. When the words reached his ears, he denied everything that was there between you both. He denied it, because he panicked. It was his natural way of reacting, of self defense.

But he realized his shortcomings when your eyes watered, your hands began to shake and tremble, that he had hurt you. Deeply. And he never meant it. He saw you rush out, and his heart ached for him to move his feet and move. It was the worst situation in a while, that he was in. Was this really so amusing for everyone? That a man, so cold, with greasy hair, pale skin, looking like a living corpse could attract a woman such like yourself? And now he was going yo lose you because of his shortcomings, his fear. He couldn't. HE couldn't let you leave, let you believe he didn't care. That was how Lily lost faith in him. He couldn't let yhr same thing happen to you. He gritted his teeth and rose up abrubtly from his seat, immediately rushing after her, her feet carrying her shaking self right at the top of the Astronomy Tower

His cape billowed behind him, his heart raced and his fists were clenched. He cursed himself at his own stupidity. If he loses her, he wouldn't forgive himself

"Stop, I beg you!"

His voice echoed in the thick air, his voice that was usually so gruff, clean and collected, was now deep with emotions he felt inside him. Remorse, anguish and deep self hatred.