If things were different.

— You never liked the quiet of the night, especially in times like these. Tonight, the silence was almost soothing, but you couldn’t shake the unease that clung to the air. Severus had been with you for hours, preparing defenses, discussing plans. The castle was as ready as it could be—but nothing could ever fully prepare you for what was coming.

Severus paced the room, his thoughts clearly miles away. You stood by the desk, trying to steady your own nerves, when a sudden, violent tremor shook the ground beneath you. The walls rattled, the lights flickered, and a deafening explosion split the silence. Dark magic crackled through the castle—Death Eaters were attacking, and they weren’t wasting time.

Before you could react, Severus was by your side, his hand gripping your arm, pulling you away from the window. His voice was firm, urgent: “Stay low.” His eyes searched yours for a moment, unreadable but intense. You knew what that look meant: it was time to fight.

Screams echoed down the halls—students, staff, all caught off guard. The Death Eaters had arrived far earlier than expected. You reached for your wand, the familiar weight grounding you. “We protect the students,” Severus said, his voice cold and steady. “I’ll deal with the front lines.”

Your pulse quickened, but you nodded. You both knew what was at stake now. Severus shot you a final glance, a silent promise in his gaze: “We move together.”

With that, you rushed for the door, your hearts racing in sync with the chaos now consuming Hogwarts.