Where Your Loyalties Lie - {Severus Snape x Reader}

-5-

A month passed. All of the leafs are changed their colors on trees and it's pretty cold outside. Hogwarts has been decorated with all kinds of pumpinks, candles and bats. Such a nostalgic feeling keeps coming up when I look at them. Nothing special has happened these past weeks. I've just tried to teach the students about plants by my best abilities. Sniffy has settled in really well, he loves running around Hogwarts surroundings - in a leash of course, and the students absolutely love him. I think someone is feeding him extra treats when I'm not looking since he has gain some weight a little. Maybe getting to know Professor Snape has been the most difficult for me. That man is hard to figure out! Whenever we'll run into each others at the corridors, we most of the time just give a polite nod or not even that sometimes. He doesn't seem to like me much, so I've thought the best thing to do is to stay out of his way. Wonder if he's still upset about I took points from his House? No... That can't be right. Right?

The last class for today has started, which means there are fifth years. They all seem to be impatient since it's Friday. To be honest, I'm waiting the class to be over too, so I could get ready for the evening. Two days ago, I received an owl from Minerva, where she invited me to come with her and all the other professors to have some drinks on Hog's Head Inn on this Friday. So we can all get to know each other better since we've all settled in. Going 'after work' as they say in the Muggle World. The thought of going out late and hanging out with the professors outside of the school feels funny somehow. Never really thought to see the day come. Talk about someone like Professor Snape... My thoughts gets cut off by one of the Gryffindor student. "C'mon, Harry. You have been reading that bloody book like your life depends on it!" Ron Weasley whispers to his friend loud enough for me to hear.

I've seen it too, Mr. Potter has been carring that same blue notebook around quite sometime now everywhere he goes. It can't be that interesting. Can it? "Have you figured out who it really belongs to?" Miss Granger asked his friend. He has someone else's note book? That gave me enough a reason to step forward. "Hand me the book, Potter." reaching my hand towards it. The trio raise their heads up surprised to see me right in front of them. Potter looks little hesitant:"...But Professor (Y/L), I..-", "I'd like to have my students focusing on the class they are in." still keeping my hand out. Potter sighs quietly and hands me the book. Smiling gently at him:"Thank you, I shall give it back to you after the class, or to its owner that is.". I go sit back behind my desk and put the book down. The book has seen better days. The covers are pretty torn and it looks old. I realize this book is one of the potions book Hogwarts has to offer if a student doesn't have their own with them.

The class continues normally and soon enough it's over. The room got empty pretty quickly. Bet everyone's excited about to go out and have their weekend. Even Neville Longbottom decided to leave after the class. Such a sweet boy. Looking down to my desk, I notice that the same blue note book is still there. Oh, I forgot to give it back. Didn't have the time to check who it belongs to earlier, so I opened it and start look for the name. On the very first page, there is a handwriting:'This book is the property of The Half Blood Prince.' Little bit dramatic, isn't it? As I began to brows the pages, I see the person who owns this has made a lots and lots of notes on it. Lot of writings has been crossed out and replaced with other solutions and such. Half Blood Prince... Who could that be?

Being deep in my own thoughts and admiring how smart this person really is, I start smiling and turn around to lean against the desk better with my lower back. All of sudden, corner of my eye, I see someone is standing right at the entry of the classroom. "Merlin's beard!!" I jump, heart about to come out of my chest. Automatically I hide the book behind me, even there shouldn't be anything wrong with reading it. For my big surprise, it's Snape. Just standing there, staring. Shooking my head a little and walk behind the desk, and put the book inside one of the drawers. "...I undestand things are slightly different in the Wizarding World, but have you heard of knocking? You should try it sometime." I mutter. Snape keeps his stare and takes couple steps forward:"Is there any specific reason why I haven't receive the plants, Miss (Y/L)?". Looking the man confused:"What?". What is he talking about?