Harry Potter: Legilimency

[Read this warning first] This story is written purely for love, with lots of original worldbuilding, and spans a considerable age gap. The heroine becomes an adult in Chapter 21. If you can’t accept the difference between Muggle and wizarding-world values, this story probably isn’t for you. Don’t force yourself to read it~ [This semester is finally over, so I’m starting the promised major revision. (｡ ́︿ ̀｡)] “She thought she had glimpsed his innermost thoughts. In reality, what she saw was what he wanted her to see. But… weaving a false impression isn’t easy. He might not even know when she would break through his Legilimency. Just when had he started preparing for this?” [I love him, but love means restraint. I don’t want my love to disturb him., Rhea Leonhardt] “At first, he thought it was just a foolish infatuation of youth. But when he used Legilimency on her, he realized it wasn’t. He had never imagined that anyone could think of him this way, that anyone would want to understand him. And that became the only warmth in his lightless days. It wasn’t bright, but it was always meant to be his.” [I love her, but love means restraint. I don’t want my love to bind her., Severus Snape] ---Reader Advisory--- 1. [Next-generation heroine] Rhea Leonhardt is an unambitious Gryffindor with black hair and green eyes (important warning). *Leonhardt is a tribute to Loewe, the Sword Emperor from Trails in the Sky. It means the courage of a lion. 2. [Special condition: Severus has a heart] The story begins in late 1995, during Order of the Phoenix, and continues through the postwar year 2000. I initially planned a slice-of-life story about two ordinary people getting to know each other, falling in love, and staying together. I was curious about what Snape’s life would be like after the war, and how he might find himself. The story draws on all seven Harry Potter books and all eight films, all three Fantastic Beasts films, and a few details from Hogwarts Legacy and Pottermore. The unfortunate kid is not included (I haven’t read it either). 3. [A changing style] I wrote this during the most painful period of my life. It’s not pure fluff or wish fulfillment, nor is it purely a romance or a story of romantic tension. This is my own little corner. The end of the war and getting together aren’t the end of the story. If this is a story of “redemption,” it will be mutual. There’s plenty besides romance, including lengthy discussions and overinterpretations of characters, plot, and worldbuilding. References will be noted. 4. [AT LAST] Written for myself, and dedicated to Professor Snape. Thank you for staying with me through the hardest part of my academic journey. You were there every sleepless night. His reconciliation with himself is also my reconciliation with the world. Theme: Severus Snape Deserves a Home and His Own Life