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 quite cold outside. Hogwarts has been decorated with all kinds of pumpkins, candles and bats. Such a nostalgic feeling keeps coming in waves when I look at them. Nothing special has happened these past weeks. I've just tried to teach the students about the 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 task for me. That man is hard to figure out! Whenever we'll run into each other in 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 the classroom is filled with 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 in Hog's Head Inn on this very Friday. So we can all get to know each other better since we've all settled in after the school started. 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 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 over these past weeks; Mr. Potter has been carrying 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 her friend. He has someone else's notebook? That gave me enough a reason to step forward. After all, who knows if the real owner is looking for it. "Hand me the book, Potter." I reached my hand after I came close to the teenagers. The trio raise their heads up surprised to see me right in front of them. Other students are focused on their task, so none of them are paying attention of our interaction. Potter looks little hesitant:"...But, Professor (Y/L), I..-", "I'd like to have my students focusing on the class they are in." I keep my hand steady.

After a small pause, Potter sighs quietly and hands me the book. A gentle smile reaches my eyes when I get in touch with it:"Thank you. I shall give it back to you after the class is over, or to its true owner, that is.". Then, I go sit back behind my desk and put the book down among rest of my Herbology textbooks and other papers. The book has seen better days. The covers of it are pretty torn and it looks quite old. Soon, I realize this book is actually one of the potions books Hogwarts has to offer if a student doesn't have their own with them. A book former student has left behind after they have graduated and no longer needs. Huh, and here I thought Potter was more interested in Defence Against the Dark Arts than Potions. 

Rest of the lesson continued on normally and soon enough, it came to an end. The room got empty pretty quickly. Bet everyone's excited about to go out and have their weekend with their friends and such. Even Neville Longbottom decided to leave after the class was over. Such a sweet boy. When I glanced down to my desk, I notice that the same blue notebook 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 searching for the name. On the very first page, there is a handwriting:'This book is the property of The Half Blood Prince.' A light chuckle escaped from me. Little bit dramatic, isn't it? As I began browsing the pages, I see the owner of this notebook 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?