“If I wanted to stay in and study I would have. I need a break from staring at my textbooks for a few hours tops. Then we can go straight back to drowning ourselves muggle theory. I promise you.” Andromeda threw her bag to the ground with haste, kicking off her shoes almost seconds later as she slid down to spread across the law with a content smile. “Come on then. I promise you’ll enjoy yourself if you give it a try.”

"I admit to not being the most adventurous fellow," Severus commented as a slight frown turned his lips. He watched as Andromeda removed her shoes, and considered doing the same, but he stiffened and did not opt to do so, feeling especially self-conscious of himself even if the only skin of himself that was showing was his feet. Severus managed to elongate the grin upon seeing his fellow snake's enthusiasm. "I will partake if you tell me in advance what this is."

The Theory of Everything (2014), Dir. James Marsh (via wnq-movies)

Totally not checking people out || Open

“Yeah…” Severus said, drawing upon the silence in his memories, and certainly not seeming like his verbose and poetic self. He might be a silent soul, but when the boy spoke, only profound sentences left his chapped lips. “Yeah…” He repeated again, and sighed, glancing at the ground, but framing a half-false smile on his face. “I am glad that he makes you feel as such. I am sure that he feels the same way.” The last sentence was genuine, most certainly.

“I hope so, but we’re in company that proves that it’s not always true… Sorry.” She said softly but skipped forward and started walking backwards. “Right before we get depressing, lets do something fun. Lets Prank my brothers. They’ll take it in good spirit and it’ll be so much fun.” She said with a wide grin and pulled two brooms out of her bag holding one out for him. 

Severus' was grateful for Molly's distraction because his mind was already straying to depressingly destructive thoughts about Lily, and his inevitably eternal longing for her. Severus managed a small smile at the suggestion and vocalized, their steps synchronized and side-by-side, "Will they not see us coming?" The smile broadened a bit once he allowed himself to open up. "After all, grand pranksters do not fall as easily to tricks as regular people do."

Stephen King, Different Seasons (via wordsnquotes)

“I’m sorry I didn’t see you there. Are you alright?” 

"Peachy," Severus returned as he gazed at her intently, scrutinizing her features, and discerning her distraction. "But you, on the other hand," he commented with a light smile. "You could use some discussion." Severus paused and gently reached for her hand, and when he had it within his grasp, he squeezed it in caring support. "Are you all right, Lils? Something on your mind?"

Severus Snape smiled gently as she regarded him with what looked like fondness. The Slytherin boy could decode the fallacy from the truthfulness, because to those who /actually/ wished to find the true Narcissa, the distinction was easy to make. She did not flip her hair as often; she did not purr or stroke a man’s hand in an effort to seduce him; her line of vision was directed forward rather than upward with a tipped chin. Severus honestly believed her to be beautiful in both lights, but he did have a certain soft spot for the woman with the kind heart and the focused effort. He liked the other Narcissa too, and he would not try to change her, but that particular version of herself could not like him, and did not, because he was a lesser human in her eyes.

Severus nodded softly at the definition of a “good Pureblood girl.” He had no intentions of arguing with her, knowing that she had been raised to believe such things; she would not believe him if he tried to say otherwise, and truthfully, Severus would not counter her. She was not hurting anyone by wanting to behave that way like “a lady,” after all. “You can smile freely sometimes,” Severus suggested softly as he put his hand in hers to comfort her. “You do not have to wear such a disguise around me. Your personality is as enticing to me as your beauty.”

“You can be a pretty girl and have passable grades,” Severus asserted with a firm nod of his head. For this subject, he was passionate; his passionate self rather than the obscured, feeble-minded boy who was often interpreted as nothing more than a pathetic conformist. “Your potential is too great for you not to succeed with both,” he said again. Severus was stubbornly high-spirited around this girl, and in some manners, he could not understand /why/. There was something promisingly stunning about her, and that could be attributed to how different she was, regardless of her desire to hide him from her life. Severus was accustomed to that anyways- to the shame of being around him- but still, he did believe that Narcissa cared about him as he did her, and as he considered that, a soft blush and smile complemented his features.

“You’re right,” she said with a relieved smile, closing her eyes for a second. “I could get used to this,” she commented, cracking her eyes open to glance at her friend, and sighed deeply. “But it’s just the eye of the storm,” she muttered, squeezing Severus’ reassuring hand.

“That’s reassuring,” she said, but didn’t sound too convinced despite Severus’ enthusiasm that she had great potential. “Both are hard work,” she mused, feeling slightly daunted by the task she had set for herself. Being pretty, being popular, being a great hostess, and learning to be a great wife, all while earning a few OWLs wasn’t going to be easy.

Severus blushed suddenly, and Narcissa realised she was still softly petting his hand. Even with the mask down, she stayed stunning, she knew, and would always have this effect on men, whether she was looking to charm them or not. “You’re adorable when you blush,” she told him, her voice light and slightly mocking. It wasn’t something she’d ever dare say to someone she could marry, but Severus was a friend. A cute friend. She leaned towards him slightly, her fingers tracing random patterns on his hand.

"Being proper and pretty does not prohibit academic success," he promised her in a kind and reassuring tone. "Plenty of well-respected Pureblood women achieve both, and you most certainly can do the same." Severus was constantly fascinated by the prospect of beauty versus brains. He himself always found a woman more attractive when she believed in her own potential; he valued academic intelligence highly, as he possessed it too, but Narcissa was unknowingly teaching him that there were other important elements of life aside from the textbooks-- and he hoped that perhaps, he could inspire her to look beyond assumed wife duties and womanly conduct too.

"Hard work endures in the end," Severus said then. "It is perhaps everything that keeps me afloat." After all, Severus would be in an even worse position if it was not for the expansive brain within his cranium. Otherwise, he would be despised and hated and wished dead-- he was these things presently, but at least people could envy and/or admire his bravery and intellectual abilities.

As the fingers continued to trace his hand, he looked up at Narcissa gently. His smile and eyes alike softened as he regarded her with a certain warmth and kindness in his eyes. "Perhaps not cute," Severus countered as another small blush took to his cheeks. The look faded quickly and he urged himself to look at her. "I am nothing but a man who possesses a heart too big for his chest." He chuckled softly to himself and glanced down. "It can do a man no good, at times, to have such tenderness lurking in his soul, and at other times, it leads such a man to greatness. I know not which path lies ahead of me."

L.A.V. (via xoleva)

Totally not checking people out || Open

Severus managed a light comment at that. “Undeniably,” he agreed smoothly and lightly tapped her arm with his elbow. “She is beyond perfect,” he said again, and a charmed smile crossed his face. “Do you.. When you think of him- of Arthur..” Severus asked, clearing his throat awkwardly. “Do you feel.. This kind of warmth wash through you?”

“I know what you mean, you feel better when you see them, like they just make everything better and you couldn’t be happier.” She sad with a small smile. “You just feel like a better person physically and mentally…” Molly said and giggled and blushed.

"Yeah..." Severus said, drawing upon the silence in his memories, and certainly not seeming like his verbose and poetic self. He might be a silent soul, but when the boy spoke, only profound sentences left his chapped lips. "Yeah..." He repeated again, and sighed, glancing at the ground, but framing a half-false smile on his face. "I am glad that he makes you feel as such. I am sure that he feels the same way." The last sentence was genuine, most certainly.

“She is my world,” Severus said gently, probably countering what Ella was saying. He was not attempting to intentionally disregard her words, and he really did care about her opinions, but Severus was tired and numb from loving and exposing his true capacity for it so much so that his eyelids felt heavy and he almost yawned. He was too broken to yawn though, and that was the true. He mindlessly tossed pieces of the cake around on his fork without lifting the metal utensil to his mouth even once, his thoughts already pervaded by a smiling and giggling Lily Evans. Imagining her that content warmed his heart; he only wished that he could once again be the source of her joy. “She is the love of my life as she will always be.. I know not how to live without her,” he admittedly, looking at Ella intently. “You might be correct in that love should not be entirely dependent on happiness, but how can a broken and discarded and unloved man such as myself cope and live in a world without even a sliver of affection from another, platonic or romantic, it matters not?”

Severus smiled a pleased grin when he heard Ella talk of romance. “You sound as I do,” he teased with a wry smirk on his lips as he lightly bumped her elbow with his. Ella was definitely a good friend, and he was happy to have her in his life to confide in; she was trustworthy, and probably the most reliable person in his life at that given moment in time. “I hold no doubt that one day, that pure love shall find you,” Severus informed her with a kind and humble grin. “You are kind and fair and gentle; intelligent and pretty.” Severus nodded, analyzing the probabilities for his friend and knowing that they were high. “You shall find it much easier than some. Your affections shall be deeper and more serious than some of the sensational flings that individuals opt to operate.”

Ella decided it was best not to push the matter any further. Severus was set in his mind track, and Ella knew arguing wouldn’t make him change his mind. She just nodded instead. “Fair enough I suppose,” she stated softly. “I can’t imagine it’s easy not having affection. I guess you hold on to the hope that the right people will find their way into your life,” Ella thought out loud. For a moment, Ella felt bad that she couldn’t relate to that. She had loving parents, a brother that always had her back, and friends that she could consider to be her family. She didn’t know what it was like not to have affection. 

A smile crept on the younger girls face. “I think I’m a bit of a romantic, but not in the traditional, cheesy way. I think- I think that souls are made up of different souls. For instance, when I die, my soul will leave my body and join together with several new pieces of different souls, to create a new soul for a new baby. I think that people that have many pieces of the same souls are destined for each other. They love harder, more passionately, because these souls are being reunited again,” Ella babbled. After realizing that she confessed to some of her deepest beliefs she blushed, “S-sorry, That probably sounds stupid,” she stuttered. “I appreciate that you find those characteristics in me. Thank you,” she smiled. “I hope so. That sounds like a good life to live.” 

Severus smiled sadly and mentioned, "I suppose that you grow accustomed to the pain. After all, how can one learn to live in the sunlight after only ever being raised in the shadows?" The Slytherin boy found that such a mentality played itself out in total truth, or at least to an extent that he had seen. It was true, that the occasional Pureblood Slytherin would betray his or her family roots and adopt an open-minded lifestyle, and perhaps even practice preaching equality, but those children were often left without homes and families. He admired those who were willing to give up everything that they had ever known for fairness; Severus wanted to do the same, but protection was often tempting. He was often torn. He believed wholesomely in fairness and equal treatment, but he was not a brave, daring, and defying Gryffindor who would have his head sliced for any given oppressed stranger. He was selective with his sacrifices, but Severus Snape did fully believe that there were a select few whom he would risk his neck for.

The sadness seemed to subside momentarily as he listened to Ella speak. She spoke with a rare sort of passion and conviction, and such stamina and strength were very enticing qualities about her. Severus found often that many Gryffindors lacked brains, relying rather on brainless acts of courage to redeem themselves instead of operating their brains; most Slytherins preferred cunning over true loyalty. In the grand scheme of things, all stereotypes had to have been based on some minor layer of truth. And as she spoke, Severus smiled a grand look of agreement and said, "Please, please- do not restrain yourself. I find your intellect to be highly motivating." Severus swallowed and the pleased grin seemed to grow, "I agree with you- perhaps you should have been a Ravenclaw, Ella," he teased with a grin. "Very wise, indeed."

Totally not checking people out || Open

Severus blushed at the nudging of his arm. “I discovered that she was dreamy many years ago,” the dark-haired boy admitted with a grin. “From the moment I met her, most specifically.” He chuckled again, basking in the bittersweet memory as it coursed through his mind. “If you swung the other way and she did as well, I presume that she would not turn you down either,” he said with a smile.

“I would make a hot lesbian.” She smirked and laughed. “She is perfect.” Molly smiled and walked with him making their way to the edge of the forbidden forest, Molly kicked stones along.

Severus managed a light comment at that. "Undeniably," he agreed smoothly and lightly tapped her arm with his elbow. "She is beyond perfect," he said again, and a charmed smile crossed his face. "Do you.. When you think of him- of Arthur.." Severus asked, clearing his throat awkwardly. "Do you feel.. This kind of warmth wash through you?"

Totally not checking people out || Open

Severus snorted at the comment, and managed a light laugh. He didn’t usually laugh, not even around his minimal friends, but as Molly put it, she /was/ one of the few who would not judge him for his feelings; though he also knew that she was probably a supporter of James Potter anyways. Severus managed a sad smile as he glanced at her. “I’ve loved Lily for all of my life,” he said gently. “I made stupid, childish, ignorant decisions, and for that, I am forever disgusting and sorry; but.. I loved her through then, and even if she does not care for me, I’ll love her all the same.” He paused and inhaled with focus, knowing that he might cry otherwise. “How could you not?” He teased, parroting Molly. “She’s so dreamy.”

Molly smiled sadly and took his hand and squeezed. “Many people make mistakes, I can say that from experience. She nudged his arm, “She is pretty dreamy, I mean… If I swung that way, I wouldn’t say no.” She grinned at the older boy and poked her tongue out at him.

Severus blushed at the nudging of his arm. "I discovered that she was dreamy many years ago," the dark-haired boy admitted with a grin. "From the moment I met her, most specifically." He chuckled again, basking in the bittersweet memory as it coursed through his mind. "If you swung the other way and she did as well, I presume that she would not turn you down either," he said with a smile.

Totally not checking people out || Open

Severus nodded gently. He could understand that. He did not know very much about Arthur Weasley, but the few times that they had interacted had not been dreadful. He wasn’t a bad person, as far as Severus knew. “Valid reasons,” he assured her with a light smile. At the inquiry, Severus managed to tease evasively, “Me? I am not in love with Arthur Weasley,” but he knew that Molly would challenge the joke to get actual details.

“How can you not be, he’s so dreamy.” She joked holding his arm and pulling a face. She giggled and let go. “I don’t want to push you, but you know you can talk to me about it, I’m pretty sure I’m one of the people that isn’t going to judge, she’s sweet.”

Severus snorted at the comment, and managed a light laugh. He didn't usually laugh, not even around his minimal friends, but as Molly put it, she /was/ one of the few who would not judge him for his feelings; though he also knew that she was probably a supporter of James Potter anyways. Severus managed a sad smile as he glanced at her. "I've loved Lily for all of my life," he said gently. "I made stupid, childish, ignorant decisions, and for that, I am forever disgusting and sorry; but.. I loved her through then, and even if she does not care for me, I'll love her all the same." He paused and inhaled with focus, knowing that he might cry otherwise. "How could you not?" He teased, parroting Molly. "She's so dreamy."

Totally not checking people out || Open

“Oh, me too,” Severus said in a tone that was heavily coated with sarcasm. He smirked at her, the look defining his prominent features as he chuckled. “You said that you are in love,” Severus said, diverting the conversation from himself. “With Arthur Weasley, I presume- may I inquire as to why?”

“I don’t know…” She said and frowned, “I’ve liked him for a while, he knew my brothers and he’s been around a lot… He’s just sweet, and he’s sweet to me, and I don’t know…” She said and twisted her hair around her finger. Molly raised an eyebrow at him. “What about you? Why are you?”

Severus nodded gently. He could understand that. He did not know very much about Arthur Weasley, but the few times that they had interacted had not been dreadful. He wasn't a bad person, as far as Severus knew. "Valid reasons," he assured her with a light smile. At the inquiry, Severus managed to tease evasively, "Me? I am not in love with Arthur Weasley," but he knew that Molly would challenge the joke to get actual details.

Charles Bukowski, Screams From the Balcony   (via wordsnquotes)

The slight blush that took to the pale girl’s cheeks made him smile momentarily; even the painful thoughts of Lily paused for the present time. This girl was too kind; she seemed to make everyone smile, and Severus could comprehend why Lily, too, was fond of her. She was like the redhead in some ways. Ella held Lily’s strong convictions and kindness, and Severus could appreciate those qualities. “There is never a need to thank me, Ella,” he assured his younger friend with a smile twisting his lips. “It is nothing but the truth, after all.” A moment of silence surpassed, and Severus asked quietly, his voice curious, “Have you ever wanted to fall in love?” His pale cheeks colored at the bluntness of his words. He had not intended to be so direct. “I-erm.. I asked simply because… I had wondered if you had experienced such a feeling before. I am keenly aware that some people.. do not wish to endure it. I wished to hear of your stance.” He set the black eyes on her and awaited Ella’s response. 

The hot chocolate Ella had finished was already being replaced with another cup. She had been slowly sipping on that one as she let Severus find the words to respond to her. Her cake was long finished and forgotten by this point. The brunette ran her fingers through her hair carefully. She thought for a moment, trying to decide how best to respond. “I know you love you, and I know you don’t get to choice who you do and don’t fall in love with. You can still love her, without making her your world. Your love can always be for her, but that doesn’t mean she has to be the source of your happiness Severus. You an find other things, other people,” Ella urged. She didn’t want to watch Severus Snape fall apart over one girl. That didn’t seem fair. 

“Well it means a great deal to me,” she confessed. Ella was having a hard time figuring out what it was the Marauder’s disliked about the Slytherin in front of her. He was kind to her, and he seemed to have his heart in the right place. She had found that she enjoyed spending time with him. At his question Ella thought for a moment. She laughed a bit as he tried to explain himself. The brunette waved her hand, to signal that it was all okay. “I have wanted to, yes. I think that every choice we make has risk and reward. There’s always going to be risks, and sometimes that risk is something as dear as your heart. With love though, the pure, true kind, it’s always worth it. I think that love shouldn’t be depended but that it should make you feel stronger than when you’re alone. I think the right kind of love hurts yes, but the good outweighs the bit of pain. Does that make sense?” she exlpained. 

"She is my world," Severus said gently, probably countering what Ella was saying. He was not attempting to intentionally disregard her words, and he really did care about her opinions, but Severus was tired and numb from loving and exposing his true capacity for it so much so that his eyelids felt heavy and he almost yawned. He was too broken to yawn though, and that was the true. He mindlessly tossed pieces of the cake around on his fork without lifting the metal utensil to his mouth even once, his thoughts already pervaded by a smiling and giggling Lily Evans. Imagining her that content warmed his heart; he only wished that he could once again be the source of her joy. "She is the love of my life as she will always be.. I know not how to live without her," he admittedly, looking at Ella intently. "You might be correct in that love should not be entirely dependent on happiness, but how can a broken and discarded and unloved man such as myself cope and live in a world without even a sliver of affection from another, platonic or romantic, it matters not?"

Severus smiled a pleased grin when he heard Ella talk of romance. "You sound as I do," he teased with a wry smirk on his lips as he lightly bumped her elbow with his. Ella was definitely a good friend, and he was happy to have her in his life to confide in; she was trustworthy, and probably the most reliable person in his life at that given moment in time. "I hold no doubt that one day, that pure love shall find you," Severus informed her with a kind and humble grin. "You are kind and fair and gentle; intelligent and pretty." Severus nodded, analyzing the probabilities for his friend and knowing that they were high. "You shall find it much easier than some. Your affections shall be deeper and more serious than some of the sensational flings that individuals opt to operate."

Totally not checking people out || Open

Severus was amused by Molly’s expression. It looked as he did around Lily. No one could deny the love and fascination that he held for the beloved redhead. Everything about her warned his cold soul. “I would love your company,” Severus confirmed with a grin casted in her direction as the pair began to walk. “How are you doing?” He inquired as he glanced at her.

Molly walked along with Severus pulling her bag up on her back. “I’m okay, classes are just stressful and I’m a hung up girl in love, but yeah Good. What about you?” She asked as they walked out of the castle walls.

"Oh, me too," Severus said in a tone that was heavily coated with sarcasm. He smirked at her, the look defining his prominent features as he chuckled. "You said that you are in love," Severus said, diverting the conversation from himself. "With Arthur Weasley, I presume- may I inquire as to why?"