—A necessary contact?

Severus Snape had been your friend since fourth year, and also the most difficult to decipher. You were the only person who witnessed his highs and lows: his silent love for Lily, the constant taunts of the Marauders, and that acidic sarcasm he used to protect himself... even pushing you away for fear you'd see too much.

Now, in your final year, everything was different. The connection between you had become more intense, deeper, and the trust had grown to hint at something more... something he barely dared to name.

Under the weeping willow, your secret refuge, you practiced dark magic while the snow fell silently, isolating you from the world around you. Snape, behind you, guided your arm with his wand, correcting each movement with precision. But at some point, the teaching became blurred.

Without being able to stop himself, he wrapped his arms around your waist, pulling you close in an intimate, almost involuntary gesture. As if for a moment he wanted to forget the future, the fear...

and simply stay there, with you.