"Y/N, who is he? Tell me."

His voice was stern and cold, but there was a silhouette of fear and dejection behind it, something that did not go unnoticeable after knowing him for so long. You had to agree with Dumbledore's words, that perhaps you knew Severus more than he knew himself. Keeping your gaze on your lap, you shook your head weakly, hoping that the professor would understand.

"This is not the time for you to keep secrets from me, Miss L/N. Your life is at stake because of him."

Anger was starting to resurface in his chest, and he knew he was losing it when he heard what Madam Pomfrey has told him. He could not fathom the things he learned about you from your best friends, how much you were suffering because of a foolish love for a person who did not return your feelings, but as he saw you in the hospital wing and Madam Pomfrey confirmed it— Severus was furious.

How could someone be punished for their love?

"Please don't put the blame on him. It's my fault for falling in love with him when I know very well that he had his love."

You sound so devastated and defeated, and Severus almost winced at the sight of the tears in your eyes. It was so ironic for him to blame the person you loved, when it was him that you were in love with.

"If you don't want to blame him, then you shouldn't blame yourself too."

He sighed, sitting on a chair next to your bed. He knew there was no point of being angry over something that you could not control. And he realised you needed his support at the time, not his blind anger and poor judgement of the person that you loved.

"If you tell me, perhaps I could help you to tell him about your feelings."

He spoke softly, surprising George and Fred there with how gentle Professor Snape was with you. They tried their best not to listen to your conversation, but they could not. They were so tempted to tell the professor the truth of your heart, but they held on to their promise, not wanting to betray you. Realising that it was better if it was just you and Snape, they decided to leave the hospital wing and retreated to their dormitories.

"It's useless. He will never love me back."

You chuckled half-heartedly, fiddling with your fingers. Severus breathed sharply, thinking of what he should do. His mind wanted to break into yours, so that he could tell easily who it was that caused you to be tormented, but his heart stopped him from doing so, reminding him that he once promised himself he would never use Legilimency against you. He would never use it on you, not without your consent.

"I trust you, Y/N. But you don't want to take the potion either. You can't do this to yourself."

He was flabbergasted when Madam Pomfrey told him about your hesitation to drink the cure, and Severus hoped you could see how vital it was for you to be healed. The professor's heart was ripped out of his chest to see a frown on your face, instead of a smile that you always gave to him. He had not seen you for days, and when he did now, you were nothing like yourself.

He realised you were giving up to your fate, but he was not going to let you slip away.

"I'm fine, Professor."

It came out as a whisper, but loud enough for him to hear you, and Severus knew better that you were not fine at all. He cursed himself for being ignorant before this, or else he would have noticed the signs earlier and perhaps the potion can be found earlier than now. A tear rolled down upon your face as you looked at him, but you were quick to wipe it away, not wanting him to see you as weak.

"If I can't be the person who is loved, then I'll be the person who loved."

You said, smiling sadly at the man who owned your heart and soul, and you still loved him even when you knew you were going to die because of him.

"You worth more than that, Y/N."

"Do I?"

Severus could not believe what you just said, as he never thought you would doubt your worth, especially not in love. He never wanted you to be a person who would be tortured because of love. No, Severus had went through the pain before, and he never wanted it to happen to you. And now that your life was threatened, he was undeniably angry and sad.

"Stop being a fool. You know your worth. Don't lose it because of your love for a person who does not know how to appreciate you."

His words were harsh, hoping that you would see how foolish you were acting when you refused to take the healing potion, the only way that could save your life from your tormenting fate, but you seemed to be unperturbed by everything he said.

"You don't understand, Professor."

You muttered, struggling to get out of the bed as you fought your exhaustion. You just wanted to stop arguing with him, and you needed to get away from his dreadful questions. But Severus was quick to stand up from his chair, and he stood in front of you, stopping you from going anywhere to escape his presence.

"Then make me understand."

He said, clenching his jaw as he could feel his anger, but not directly towards you. He was enraged to know that you wanted to sacrifice your life, all because of love.

"I can't."

Holding back your tears, you wanted to walk away from him but Severus was determined to change your mind as he grabbed your wrist, pulling you into his chest, forcing you to look him in the eyes. The proximity was startling, as you could feel the pain starting to seep in, tightening your chest in a way that it had never done before.

"Why are you so afraid of your own feelings?"

He scoffed, and you tried to pull your hand away from him, but failing as he was much stronger than you. The growing pain in your chest was not helping, as you were starting to feel dizzy and uncomfortable. But you did not want to let it show.

"I'm not afraid of my own feelings. You are, Professor."

You fought, taking him by surprise as he could see the fire in your eyes, and Severus knew you were stronger than he thought you were. You could fight to live if you wanted to, and he was not going to let you die without trying to help you with every power that he had.

"We should appreciate our memories. But we shouldn't live in our past."

Snape said, repeating the exact words that you once said to him, shocking you when he still remembered what you told him. He listened to every word you said, especially those words that kept him going in his life.

"A wise girl once said to me. I just hope you'll see that if you take the potion, you will be able to leave the person that you love behind, in your past."

He added, dropping your wrist from his hand as he saw tears streamed down upon your face. The feelings were overwhelming, suffocating you, the pain was taking over your body as you swallowed his words.

"I wish I could be with him in my future, and not leaving him behind in my past."

Severus' heart was wretched when he heard your words, so genuine from the bottom of your heart, and he was beginning to understand how deeply in love you were with the person, trapping you in a situation that was confusing and terrifying.

"I don't want to fight with you, Y/N."

"So don't fight with me."

Before he could say anything else, the pain struck you in your chest, the worst that you had ever experienced, and you could not stop yourself from letting out an agonising scream, the one that Severus would remember for the rest of his life as he caught you in his arms.

"Y/N, talk to me."

For the first time, Snape did not know what to do as he sat in the floor, holding you who was almost unconscious, as you whimpered in pain. Your eyes were shut close, your body was trembling and he could tell you were in a terrible pain, but he was unable to do anything to help.

Madam Pomfrey rushed into the room as soon as she heard your scream, and she had never seen you in such pain before. Severus was glad when she came, hoping that perhaps she could think of something that could lessen your pain, but when you started to cough, colours drained from his face with the sight in front of him.

His heart dropped when he saw you coughed up red flower petals, along with thorns, and blood. Severus was used to seeing blood, but it was your blood, that came out forcefully from your body with red flower petals and venomous thorns.

"It hurts. Please make it stop..."

You sobbed, clinging to the professor, staining his robes with the blood on your hands. Your sorrowful cries shattered the wizard's heart, as all these times, he worked so hard to watch over you, making sure that you were happy but now as your tears and blood were wasted, Severus knew you were scared.

"It's alright, Y/N. I'll make it stop."

He comforted you, glancing at Madam Pomfrey who shot you a sympathetic look. The only thing she could promise you was the potion, that would arrive on the next morning. She wished she could do more to help, but it was out of her knowledge and power.

He laid you down in bed, gently not to hurt you, and he knew he had to make sure you take the potion. Losing your love would not be much compared to losing your life, and Severus had to do something to ensure you make the right decision.

"Please take the potion tomorrow, Y/N."

You stared at him, tears in your eyes, as no words could be utter from your mouth. He looked so desperate for you to do it, and you did not want to disappoint him, but you also did not want to forget your love for him.

"Please, Y/N. Please do it for me."

Professor Snape was practically begging for you to drink the potion, for him. You would trade the whole world for him, and now when he used it against you, you knew you were giving in. Hence, with hot tears boiled in the corner of your eyes, you nodded weakly, allowing your love to be forgotten once the potion came.

"I will do it. For you."