Second year: Secret friendship

Chapter 13

Enadira was walking quickly, trying to find Snape. She felt the urge to explain what happened yesterday. As she was about to give up, she found him leaving Dumbledore's office. "Professor Snape," Enadira said as she called out. Snape slowly turned around to see her. "Yes, Ms. Cromwell?" he asked. "I was wondering if we could speak...in your office?" she asked.

"I don't necessarily have the time, Ms. Cromwell," Snape said, rushing. Enadira quickly walked behind him into his office. "Snape, wait," she said, shutting the door behind her. "I'm a bit preoccupied, Cromwell; I mean it," he said as he sat down in his chair at his desk. "I just wish to explain what happened yesterday," Enadira said as she walked toward Snape's desk and fiddled with her hands a bit.

Snape rolled his eyes. "You don't have to explain yourself at all, Cromwell," he said. She was about to protest, but Snape motioned for her to stop. Enadira exhaled in defeat and sat down on a chair in front of Snape's desk. "Fine, you win," she said. "I didn't realize this was a competition," he said with a small smirk. Enadira scoffed lightly. "When did you become such a teaser?" she asked. "When I became friends with you, but I've always been sarcastic, your being an influence on me, Cromwell," he said.

Enadira liked the sound of that; she gave a small smile. "Snape?" she asked. "Yes?" he replied. "How come I don't know about you?" she asked. Snape gave a bit of thought to that question. "Why do you ask?" he said. "Well, we've known each other for a year now, and I still don't know about you," she said. Snape shrugged slightly. "What's to know?" he asked. "Your interests, likes, and dislikes—perhaps your past?" she gave a few mentions. "Why do you wish to know?" Snape asked her. "I want to know more about you," she said.

Snape exhaled in his chair. He had to be careful what to say about himself to her; he didn't want her to know everything just yet. "I suppose you may ask me a few things," he said. Enadira gave a small smile. She felt a little excited to know more about him. "What's your favorite color?" she asked. Snape raised his brow and motioned at his clothes. "Isn't it obvious?" he said. "Oh, right, black," she said as she pointed.

"And yours?" Snape asked. "You wish to know my favorite color?" she asked, surprised. "I'm assuming it's fair if you wish to know about me; I know more about you," he said. Enadira smiled. "Well, I'm glad that you wish to know more about me; I'd have to say light pink would be my favorite," she said. Snape was surprised that was her favorite color, and he was curious to know more about her as well. Snape even admits that whenever she smiled, he felt a flutter of warmth but always shook it out quickly.

"Do you enjoy reading?" she asked him. "I do from time to time," he said. Enadira leaned closer; she was curious. "What do you like to read?" she asked. "Fiction, non-fiction, and informative books, I suppose," he said. "I enjoy reading myself too—fiction and informative ones as well," she said. "One of my favorites is a book called 'Howl's Moving Castle," she said. "I've read that story before," he said, intrigued. "Really?" she asked, surprised.

"I found the story to be quite familiar," he said. "How so?" she asked him. Snape was surprised that she wanted to hear more. "I'm sure you've realized, Cromwell, that many wizards tend to suspect me; there's more to me than meets the eye," he explained to her. She knew that he was mysterious, but that was definitely what drew her to him. "Well, you seem to be opening up about yourself to me," she said. Snape gave a small smirk. "Perhaps you could be the first," he said.

Enadira tilted her head a bit. "I wonder if he tried before," she thought. "Oh, didn't Ms. Granger end up in the hospital wing?" he asked. "She's still ill and will be until classes begin again," she said. "Oh, I almost forgot." Snape rose up and went toward the back shelf, finding something. He found what he was looking for—a small box.