Sunset

I woke up about an hour later. I looked at the clock, squinting to make out the numbers. It was 8:30 in the morning… still plenty of time to have a productive day.

I yawned and stretched in bed. With a jolt, I remembered Severus and our… I blushed. Did the sex make him my boyfriend now? The idea seemed foreign to me. The title didn’t quite fit the aura that surrounded him everywhere he went.

I sat up in bed, quickly scanning the room for the mysterious Severus. He wasn’t anywhere that I could see, so I slid off the bed and walked over to my closet to grab some clothes. I left my room and walked into the bathroom, deciding to get a quick shower before he showed up again.

I stepped into the steaming hot spray, feeling relaxed and calm as I shampooed my head. I soaped up quickly and rinsed off, making sure I was squeaky clean. I turned off the water, stepped out, and toweled off hastily. I dressed in some comfortable jeans and a t-shirt, ran a comb through my hair, and brushed my teeth.

I looked at myself closely in the mirror, inspecting my chin and cheeks for any hints of new facial hair. I sighed. Stubble was there, but sparsely scattered; my beard was a long way away from being filled out. My frame was somewhat muscular, my jaw was defined, shoulders and arms fit. I looked athletic, like a soccer player… nothing close to a football jock.

Mentally shrugging, I threw my towel into the hamper and left the steamy bathroom. I went back to my room to grab a sweatshirt and wriggled into it as I walked downstairs to the kitchen. Just as I was pushing the hood off of my head, I noticed someone sitting at the dining room table that definitely wasn’t James.

“Severus?” I called out.

The figure turned around and I recognized Dumbledore. Taken aback, I said, “Oh… Hi, Mr. Dumbledore.”

Smiling at me with a twinkle in his eye, Dumbledore said, “Please, call me Albus. Severus sent me over to inform you that he is changing and will return shortly.”

“I see,” I replied, embarrassed.

“In the mean time,” he said, “I took the liberty of making you some breakfast. It’s on the kitchen counter.”

Surprised, I looked over and saw a plate piled high with scrambled eggs. Several pieces of buttered toast sat on a plate beside it.

“Thanks!” I exclaimed, hurrying over to grab a fork and dig in.

“Of course,” Albus replied, “I know how hungry a young man can get.”

I smiled around a mouthful of food, wishing that I could offer him something to eat or drink but knowing he would decline if I did. It wasn’t like I had a bucket of blood in the fridge or anything.

I finished the eggs and had just taken a bite of toast when Severus came through the front door.

“Severus!” I said happily.

“Hey, Harry,” Severus replied, smirking at me as he closed the door.

Albus turned to look at Severus and said, “Now that you’re back, I’m going to return to the house. I’ll see you later, lad.”

“Sure, Albus,” Severus replied, giving him a quick hug before he left.

Snape turned back to me and walked over to where I was eating the last piece of toast. He raised an elegant eyebrow and I laughed, “Albus made this for me.”

“Ahhh,” Severus replied with a nod, “I see. Do you have any plans today, Harry? If you don’t, I was hoping that you would accompany me to my home to meet Albus and Lucius in a more comfortable setting.”

“Lucius is Doctor Malfoy, right?” I inquired.

“Yes. He’s the one that treated you after the accident in the parking lot,” Severus confirmed.

I smiled and said, “Well, I’m free today. I’d love to join you.”

A grin broke out on Severus’s face and my insides warmed at the sight. I drank some water to wash my breakfast down. Feeling spontaneous, I took a step forward and gave Severus a tight hug, excited that he came back and wanted to share his personal life with me.

Severus’s arms reached around to embrace me, returning the gesture. We stood together for a good while. Finally pulling away with a peck to my forehead, he said, “Do you need to get ready or are you alright with leaving now?”

“I just have to put some shoes on,” I said, and looked around for some to slip on. My eyes landed on the box I had bought the night before. I walked over to the table and pulled out a chair to lace up my new sneakers. When I was ready to leave, I stood and grabbed the house keys off of the table and turned back to Severus.

He was leaning patiently against the counter, observing the details and assorted things strewn around the living space. When he saw that I was ready, he straightened up and started walking toward the door as he said, “I brought my car to drive you, if you don’t mind.”

“That’s fine,” I said, “Let me just write a quick note for James.”

I scribbled something down on a scrap of paper and put it on the stove where James would see it when he got back from work. Satisfied that everything was in order, I walked through the door, Severus close behind.

After we were both seated in the car, Severus easily reversed out of the driveway and began the journey to his home. He had turned the radio on to an old-fashioned classical station, and I found that I didn’t mind it. The sounds were musical, graceful, and elegant – they suited Severus perfectly.

“I should probably mention,” Severus said, “That Lucius and Albus are not the only vampires who live with us. You haven’t met them yet, but Sirius and Remus are the last members of our family. They’ve been living with Albus, Lucius, and I for roughly fifty years; they are the youngest of us all and are least able to control their appetite. Thus, they choose to spend time at home rather than finding occupations in Forks. The two are also in a relationship, just so you aren’t surprised.”

“Oh, okay,” I replied. Hesitantly, I asked, “Do you think they’ll like me?”

Severus smiled warmly and assured me, “Of course, Harry. You’re practically a member of the family now. They’re extremely lighthearted; they’ll welcome you with open arms.”

I sighed with relief, but Severus continued. “The vampire community is relatively small. Most vampires live as rogues and roam the globe, but a few make partnerships to make existence more entertaining. Our family is an oddity, and is only rivaled in both size and strength by an ancient society that resides in Italy.”

I nodded in understanding, urging Severus to continue.

“Lucius differs from Albus, Remus, Sirius, and I in that he has a biological son. His name is Draco, and he is also a vampire. The two of them were attacked long ago and were turned at the same time. Lucius’s wife died in the attack.” Severus paused for emphasis, and continued, “Draco does not live with us, and he follows a less… vegetarian lifestyle. Thus, you will not be introduced to him in the near future; it would pose too great a threat.”

I frowned slightly and nodded again, accepting the information Severus had relayed to me. Curious, I asked, “But why does that society in Italy exist? Who are they, exactly?”

Pursing his lips, Severus answered carefully, “They’re called the Death Eaters. Their society is the closest thing to a government that our world has. They enforce the rules and ensure that our existence remains secret. Their leader is a man named Tom Riddle… he finds interest in vampires who are gifted with particularly useful talents. He once expressed an interest in myself and extended an invitation to join his ranks, but I made it clear that I wasn’t interested. We remain on fairly civil terms.”

I nodded once more, making a mental note about disliking the Tom what’s-his-face. He sounded like a royal creep. I shuddered.

“Does anyone else in your family possess a gift?” I asked.

“Albus is a strategist,” Severus said, smirking, “He can interpret and decide future events by changing the facets of the reality he is confronted with. Never play him in chess.”

I laughed and Severus smiled at me. He went on, “Lucius has ridiculous luck and is very charismatic. He is a doctor because he practiced the profession before he became a vampire – he has learned to become virtually immune to the scent of human blood. We are roughly the same age, so he has had plenty of time to discipline himself. He has a very strong mental presence.”

Severus continued, “Remus has the ability to find anyone in the world that he wants to. His senses are honed beyond what the transformation grants average vampires. His sight, smell, and hearing are the epitome of perfection. He is a tracker. Sirius, on the other hand, has the infallible ability to hide. He blends into shadows and can contort his body in impossible ways to evade detection from even the best seekers. This brings me to the most interesting dynamic to their relationship – their extreme juxtaposition.”

Severus looked over at me, not even needing to pay attention to the road as he drove. “Remus can’t find Sirius,” he said, “And what I mean by that, is his powers are nullified by those of his mate. Their gifts are the complete opposite of one another – they met by absolute chance. Fate, some may say.”

My eyes widened in realization to where Severus was going with his theory. Ideas clicked, and I finished what Severus was planning to say. “You mean,” I replied, “That since my mind is able to block your gift like Sirius’s cancels Remus’s, we… we’re… fated to be together?”

Nodding slowly, Severus replied, “Yes. It’s a theory that I’ve been fostering since I realized you are the exception to my rule.”

I stared at Severus in shock, feelings warring with one another – elation versus surprise. In the end, they tied, and I sat in the passenger seat feeling absolutely stunned.

Suddenly, the car came to a stop.

“We’re here,” Severus declared.

Looking through the windshield, my eyes were graced with the sight of a magnificent mansion with landscaped shrubbery and expensive-looking décor. Distracted by the awe-inspiring home, I asked incredulously, “You live here?”

Severus replied, “Mmhm. A few centuries of collecting wealth makes our quality of life rather… comfortable… to say the least.”

I stepped out of the shiny black Lexus. Severus was beside me in a flash, and took my hand in his as he led me towards the front door.

I was still struggling to wrap my mind around everything Severus had said. With such a glamorous residence looming in front of me, and events that were still confusing as fuck dancing in my head, I decided that I needed a minute to set things straight.

I stopped in the middle of the gravel of the driveway, holding tighter to Severus’s hand so that he would turn around and face me. Noticing that I stopped, the dark-haired man did as well, and looked over his shoulder in my direction.

“Wait.” I demanded. “I want some answers before we go in there. What exactly… how does being fated to be together affect our relationship? Does this mean we’re soul mates? How am I supposed to handle this?”

Never taking his eyes off of mine, Severus turned to face me straight on and placed his hands lightly on my waist. A slight drizzle was falling from the sky, but I disregarded it in order to have this moment with the man I had fallen in love with. I wanted to know.

“Harry,” Severus said, “I believe that in everyone’s lifetime, there is only one person that each individual is fated to be with. Remus and Sirius found each other, and I believe…” he trailed off, “I believe that I have finally found you.”

I looked deep into Severus’s warm amber eyes, seeing nothing but love and devotion in their crystal clear depths. I nodded at him, and suddenly laughed, “I guess I just didn’t get the memo… sorry I’m a few centuries late, Sev.”

Severus laughed with his velvet voice at my humor. He picked me up and swung me around with his strong arms, then set me down back on the firm ground. I giggled and held onto him in the increasing rain; I had never felt so loved before in my short seventeen years of life.

Smiling, Severus kissed me on the top of my head and said, “Come on, let’s go inside before you catch a cold.”

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The inside of Severus’s home was just as extravagant as the outside. Immediately upon entering through the front door, the scent of freshly baked cookies wafted right to my nose. I stood in the foyer and took in the luxurious carpet, ornate furniture, and framed paintings that decorated the home. I toed off my shoes, copying Severus, and followed his lead to walk into the living area.

Severus called out, “Harry and I are home, everyone.”

It was unnecessary, but I assumed that vampires didn’t lose their sense of propriety along with their membership to the human race. Severus took me to the living room; it was a high-ceilinged space with a piano, some comfy looking furniture, and an extravagant media system against one wall. Within moments I saw Lucius descending the central staircase that connected the first and second floor. It was the first time I had seen him in an unprofessional setting. He was wearing a tight white t-shirt and faded form-fitting jeans. I almost drooled at the sight, but Severus wrapped a protective arm around my shoulders and I interpreted the gesture as a visual reminder to his relationship with me. He gave Lucius a look.

Lucius walked over to me and held out his hand. I shook it; the cool grasp was enough to send goosebumps up my arm.

“Nice to meet you again, Harry,” Lucius said, giving me a dazzling smile as he shook my hand.

Momentarily stunned by his charm, I stammered, “You too, Lucius.”

Malfoy turned around, swaying his hips slightly as he walked away. His long, blonde-white hair reached the middle of his back and shined in the light.

“Lucius,” Severus growled, “Watch it.”

Lucius laughed, unaffected by Severus’s tone of voice. “It isn’t my fault you picked a hot boy to bring home,” he replied.

Feeling like I knew where the conversation was coming from, I blushed beet red.

The awkwardness was soon dissipated as Albus walked in from what I assumed was the kitchen, carrying a plate of cookies with one hand. His silvery hair and twinkling eyes added to his odd visage. He said, as he set the plate down on the coffee table in front of the couches, “Welcome to our home, Harry. It’s good to see you again. Help yourself to anything you’d like to eat – make yourself comfortable.”

Nodding with a smile, I replied, “Thank you, Albus.”

Albus moved back to stand next to Lucius a few feet away. He whispered something into Lucius’s ear and the charismatic man fought to keep a smile from breaking out on his face.
Severus cleared his throat loudly, and I wondered, not for the first time, what it would be like to hear the thoughts of others around me.

“Are Remus and Sirius planning to come down?” Severus asked.

“You’d know better than either of us,” Albus said with a slight chuckle.

Severus smirked and said, “Yes, I know. I’m just trying to motivate them so they’ll show their faces in a timely manner. It’s rude to keep guests waiting, you know.”

“Oh, Severus, lighten up a bit!” a voice called from behind us.

I turned to see who had spoken, but nobody was there. Confused, I turned to Severus, who was rolling his eyes.

“Sirius, do you think you could restrain yourself from making a dramatic entrance just once?” Severus said.

“What’s the fun in that?” the voice asked. Laughter echoed around the room and suddenly a figure walked into my line of sight from the opposite direction that I had been expecting. The man had shaggy black hair, a scraggly goatee, and bright honey eyes. He also had a smile plastered on his face as if he didn’t have a single care in the world. The man walked over to me with a bounce in his step and held out his hand, palm up, looking at me expectantly. I hesitantly put my hand in his and he pecked a quick kiss on the top of my hand, bowing dramatically.

As he stepped back, he did a funny little hand twist and introduced himself. “Sirius Black at your service, my good fellow!” he said with a boisterous laugh.

Albus and Dumbledore chuckled where they were standing.

“Wrong century, Sirius,” Albus chastised.

“Oh stuff it. I’m a vampire, you know.” Sirius retorted.

Lucius rolled his eyes. I was distracted once again, however, as another man walked up from behind me and placed a light hand on my shoulder. He had the same bright eyes as Sirius – I assumed that Severus had asked them to eat before I was to come over. The man had light brown hair that shined in the light with a subtle golden sheen. He had very hard-to-see lines on his cheeks as well – it looked to me like someone had scratched him across his face. Despite his faded scars, the man looked very warm and welcoming. I was at ease in his presence immediately.

He smiled at me and gave me a quick hug despite the arm that Severus kept around my shoulders.

“Great to meet you Harry!” the man said, “I’m Remus. Last name Lupin. I’m delighted to welcome you to our family.”

Smiling, I replied as Remus pulled away. “Thank you. Thanks everyone, actually, you’re all very nice. I don’t quite know what to say,” I said, blushing.

“Well,” Albus said, “We’re very glad to have you here. We’ll let Severus give you a tour of the house – the four of us will step outside and meet you in a little while.”

Severus nodded beside me and said, “We won’t be too long – go ahead and start without us.”

The four attractive men left, Sirius and Remus holding hands as they walked, and exited through the sliding glass door to their backyard.

“Now,” Severus said, relaxing against me even thought I didn’t know he had been tense, “Let’s go upstairs and I’ll give you the grand tour.”

“Sounds good,” I said, and followed him up the stairs to discover what the rest of his home looked like.

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After touring every room and hearing a brief explanation from Severus about various items contained in each, we finally stopped outside of his personal room. I expected it to be full of expensive things like every other room in the house, but after he opened the door, I found it to be quite welcoming and much less extravagant. Severus used warm earth tones to design his quarters; a reddish-brown couch sat against the far wall, and a wooden bookshelf lined the wall opposite the windows. It held significantly less books than the family’s personal library on the lower floor, but had more leisure reading books than informational ones. I flexed my toes on his fuzzy carpet, my socks feeling extra soft against the fluffiness of the floor.

“Your room is nice,” I said, observing his large wooden desk and CD collection.

“Thank you,” Severus replied, “I’m glad you like it.”

He walked over to the sound system and turned on a very old-sounding song. I smiled at the music; I couldn’t get over how much the style reminded me of everything about Severus.

“Sit with me on the couch?” Severus offered.

We both walked to the suede sofa and took a seat. I sat facing him, hugging my knees to my chest as he sat on the opposite end.

We sat looking at each other for at least a minute, neither breaking the silence, until I figured the sexual tension was so thick I should just break it and get it over with.

“Kiss me?” I asked.

I saw heat flare in Severus’s eyes as he smirked and complied with my innocent request. He scooted forward on the sofa and leaned over me to kiss my parted lips. My hand cradled his face; his hand was at the back of my neck, fingers massaging my scalp. Our tongues danced together as he mapped the contours of my mouth. I felt every ridge of his teeth and bump to the roof of his mouth – his saliva tasted sweet, as if it were made of sugar. We parted so that I could breathe… my cock was growing hard in my pants, and I longed to feel Severus’s skin beneath his clothes. He reached out and pulled off my sweatshirt and t-shirt in rapid succession, exposing my chest and flushed skin. He drank in the sight of me as if I were the most beautiful person he had ever seen, and I warmed at the feeling. Suddenly, he leaned forward and pushed me back against the couch. I moaned as he moved to lay over me. The dark-haired man reached a hand out and palmed my junk through my jeans – I moaned and gyrated my hips to capitalize upon the sensations rocketing through my nervous system.

Severus unbuttoned my jeans and moved the zipper down excruciatingly slowly. The noise sounded loud in the quiet room – our heavy breathing and quiet moans were the only other sounds to break the silence. Severus tugged my jeans down to my knees and smirked at my neon green underwear. I blushed and watched him pull my boxers down, cock freed at last and in plain sight of his ravenous gaze.

My cock was heavy with blood by this point. Severus grasped it in his freezing hand, stroking it from base to head, head to base, over and over and over. I shuddered with sensation, feeling as if I were floating on some outrageously high cloud rather than just lying on his soft furniture. Precome flowed easily from my dick, making his Severus’s motions lubricated and even more pleasurable. Severus kissed my neck gently, trailing his lips up my jaw line until he reached my ear. He sucked my earlobe into his mouth and swirled his tongue around it. My eyes rolled back as I imagined his mouth on my dick instead – back arching, hips canting upwards. My hands scrabbled for purchase against his smooth leather jacket as Severus blew air over my ear. His hand left my cock and wandered upwards across the smooth planes of my body. His nails slid smoothly over my ribs, causing my nipples to harden. He pinched one with his icy fingers as his mouth covered mine once more. I moaned, sucking on his bottom lip while I ground my throbbing erection against his thigh. I was losing control as he played me like a maestro. His tongue thrust into my mouth, dancing with my own tongue in a graceful entwinement. Severus slowly slid his hand over my chest and down my side. I arched into his touch, wanting more of his never-ending ecstasy. He pulled his mouth away from mine and I panted in want of breath.

“Severusss,” I whispered, inhaling air for my oxygen-deprived lungs.

He reached between my legs once more, cupping my length in his perfect hand. He began stroking again as he nuzzled his face against the crook of my neck. I mirrored his action, breathing in the smell of his clothing and skin. He smelled like smoke and paper. Suddenly wanting him to be much less clothed, I let my hands fall from his back and moved them to the front of his jeans. I reached for his belt, trying to undo the buckle and touch him in places that felt so wonderful when he touched me.

Severus suddenly stopped pumping my weeping cock. His hand moved to still the motions of mine, and he choked out, “Harry… you can’t.”

Not understanding, feeling too lost in sensation and only wanting our pleasure to go further, my eyebrows came together and I asked, “Why?”

Severus captured my wrists with both of his hands, and stretched them out above my head. He was lying on top of me, both of our thighs in perfect position to create certain bliss from friction. He rubbed his crotch against my thigh and I gasped at the feeling of his hardness, involuntarily humping back against him. I saw stars.

“Because I’ll lose control,” he answered.

At that point, I was too far gone to continue caring. All that mattered was Severus. He laced his fingers through mine and kept them where they were, above us. I arched and moaned against his body – my cock was harder than it had ever been before. I rubbed against his jean-clad thigh as he rubbed against my naked leg. Both of us were gasping as we moved together, pleasing one another in an infinite cycle of motion. I moaned and wriggled against Severus’s hands, slipping them from his grip. I pulled against his jacket, wanting it off, and he complied, quickly shrugging it to the floor. I wrapped my arms around his muscular body, loving the feel of his muscles through the thin t-shirt he had on. I slipped my hands underneath the cloth and raked my fingernails against his back. Severus reacted by bucking his hips against my body and moaning deeply. I keened and tried slipping it off of him – to my surprise, he helped me to take his shirt off too and threw it on top of his jacket. Our chests made skin-to-skin contact for the first time and I choked back a cry of pleasure. I watched Severus’s face as he bit his lip and squeezed his eyes shut, gasping at the difference in temperature between our two bodies.

I clung to Severus as if I was drowning in the ocean and he was a life raft in the midst of chaotic waves. My cock was trapped between my hot stomach and the freezing abdominal muscles of Severus – his toned chest and arms alone were enough to fuel fantasies for weeks, let alone what I was doing to them. We gasped for air and moved in synchronicity. Wanting so badly for Severus’s pants to be off, I tried once again to unfasten his belt, keeping one arm wrapped around his back as I rocked against him and attempted to undo the buckle.

For the second time, Severus stilled and tried to move my hand elsewhere. I let out a frustrated whine and said, “Severus, please… pleaseee…” looking into his eyes with a hopeful expression, wishing that he would just give in and allow himself to feel.

“Harry…” he said, panting, unable to form a complete sentence. I could feel his resolve wavering, so instead of waiting for his permission I bypassed his gentle grip and unfastened his belt buckle. Severus moaned, rubbing his still cloth-covered erection against my thigh. I took my cock in my left hand and pumped it while I unbuttoned and unzipped his pants with my right.

The jeans finally parted and allowed Severus’s cock to tent his black satin boxers that he wore beneath his pants. The garments strained to contain the large bulge – my eyes widened as I took in the huge meat Severus was rubbing against my thigh. I let go of my dick and reached out both hands to slide Severus’s pants and boxers down his thighs. I was rewarded with the sight of a beautifully sculpted penis – long, thick, weeping precome, and completely erect. I gasped and wrapped my hand around his cock, letting Severus thrust his hips in my hand to maximize his pleasure.

Severus moaned and gasped louder than I had ever heard before. I moved my hips so that our cocks were lined up together, balls touching, precome mixing on my flat stomach. I wrapped a hand around both of our cocks and squeezed, earning a deep moan from both of us as sensations swept through our bodies. I slung my other arm over Severus’s back and he kept himself propped up on one elbow while he moved his free hand to join mine around our dicks.

I threw my head back in ecstasy as the two of us melted into delicious friction. Severus’s freezing body made our touches even more erotic, the hot and cold made my blood feel like electricity and vision begin to blur. I gasped for air between kisses that Severus rained on my mouth and face; he sucked and nibbled on my lip which made me moan even louder.

All too soon I felt my orgasm approaching. I frotted against the ice cold body above me with desperation, managing to gasp out, “Severus, I’m gonna come.”

Severus moaned and whispered against my ear with his low, velvet voice, “Come, Harry. Let your mind succumb to the pleasures of your body.”

I groaned and emitted a high-pitched whine as my balls spasmed and body convulsed in complete and utter bliss. My vision went nearly black and I held on to Severus for dear life as I rode out my orgasm, come splattering all over our chests. Severus must have came the same time that I did – his thick cock added much more ejaculate to my chest than I had ever thought was possible to come from one orgasm. When I finally came back to myself and my breathing evened out, I groaned in post-orgasmic afterglow.

Severus slumped against my body, trying not to crush me but still covering the majority of my chest. I smiled lazily as his gaze met mine. Severus kissed me once more on the mouth, trading sweet saliva and caressing my lips with absolute grace.

With a small groan, he lifted himself off of me and observed the sticky mess that coated both of our chests and stomachs. He chuckled and said, “Stay. I’ll be right back.”

I waited patiently for Severus to return. When he came back, he was holding two wet washcloths. He cleaned the mess off of my body, making sure no traces were left behind, before he went to work on his own perfect chest. I observed from my recumbent position on the couch as he wiped off his naked chest, washboard abs, and slowly softening cock. Severus’s pants were still halfway down his thighs, so I seized the opportunity to observe his body unobstructed.

When he was finished, he met my gaze and smirked at my expression. “Insatiable brat,” he accused.

“Mmm,” I replied, unintelligibly, still far too relaxed to achieve anything that required higher brain function than breathing.

Severus refastened his pants and put his shirt back on. I pouted as his skin was covered once more – it was nice seeing Sev naked.

I sighed and stood up languidly, pulling up my boxers and jeans, then found my shirt and wiggled into it. Severus and I then slipped into our jacket and hoodie, respectively.

I looked up at the dark-haired man and he softly smiled at me. He took a step forward and collected me in a tight embrace, sighing with contentment.

“I feel complete whenever I’m close to you,” Severus confessed.

“Me too,” I murmured against the leather of his jacket.

Severus nuzzled against my mussed up hair and whispered, “I love you, Harry.”

It was the first time that the powerful man had spoken the words. They took my breath away – it took me a moment to gather enough air for a reply.

“I love you too, Severus,” I said, eyes tearing up.

Severus held me tighter in his everlasting embrace. We stood together in peaceful silence for many minutes, my face tucked into the crook of his neck, his chin resting on top of my head. When we finally found the will to go downstairs once more, Severus never once let go of my hand. And that was when I knew, absolutely, unconditionally, and irrevocably… I would forever be in love with Severus Snape.

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Author's Note: Thank you guys so much for reviewing and reading my story. It really means a lot to me to see your feedback - I'm glad this fic is being so widely enjoyed. :) Let me know what you think! Love always, ~LostSoul