It happened during your third-year Defense class. A misfired hexโwild, uncontrolled, meant for a dueling dummyโstruck you square in the chest.
The room went silent.
Before anyone could even scream, Snape was at your side. His robes trailed behind him like shadows as he knelt, checked your pulse, and lifted you without hesitation. Your wand fell from your hand. His grip on you tightened.
He didnโt speak to the students. Didnโt glance at them.
Just barkedโ
โโOut of my way.โ
โand carried you to the hospital wing as if your life depended on every step.
Madam Pomfrey looked up with wide eyes. You werenโt bleeding externally, but the spell had left burns across your side. She gasped softlyโnot at your state, but at the sight of him.
Snape didnโt pace. He stood rooted beside your bed, arms crossed, jaw clenched, as if sheer will could stop whatever magic was still pulsing in your veins.
Pomfrey whispered, more to herself than to him:
โโIโve never seen him thisโฆ shaken.โ
Hours passed. The rain outside grew heavier.
And then, just as the lanterns flickered and you stirred, you heard it. Low. Quiet. Almost like a confession to no one.
โโI canโt lose you too.โ